Woodstock Independent 11/27/24 by thewoodstockindependent.com

The Woodstock

A&E

Another holiday movie has a four-legged Woodstock tie-in

SCHOOLS

District 200 tops the county in eighth-grade reading scores

School board to remain constant

Four incumbents secure new school board terms months ahead of election

By Larry Lough NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Voters won’t have tough decisions to make for four seats up for election in April on the Woodstock School District 200 Board of Education. In fact, they will have no decisions to make.

The four incumbents whose seats are up for election were the only

candidates to file by last week’s deadline.

They are Carl Gilmore, board president, who has been a board member since 2013, and three men who were first elected in 2017: Vice President Jacob Homuth, Secretary

Twenty-seven years after the Die Cast factory was demolished, 10 townhomes remain the only development on the 10-acre site. The green space around the townhouses is going to stay green for a while longer. Two years after the city chose Chicago Hubs Realty to develop a mix of senior housing, retail space, and a parking garage on the vacant land, the developer told the city it could not obtain financing for the project.

Die Cast project back to square one

The Woodstock Independent 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098

Phone: 815-338-8040

Fax: 815-338-8177

Thewoodstock independent.com

By Larry Lough LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Development of the former Die Cast factory site will start over after Chicago Hubs Realty informed the city it could not obtain financing for its ambitious three-phase plan for a mix of senior housing, retail space, and a parking garage.

The City Council last week rescinded

its redevelopment agreement with CHR and planned to seek new proposals from potential investors in December.

In the fall of 2022, council members chose CHR from among three developers that had submitted plans for the 10-acre site, which is owned by the city.

A new RFQ – request for qualifications from potential developers

– is scheduled to be considered at the council’s Dec. 3 meeting. “We are going to market for multiple options for that property,” Mayor Mike Turner said.

Turner expressed “disappointment” in the setback, “but we have to deal with reality” in what he described as “the slog” of developing the site.

See DIE CAST Page 4

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY

OBITUARIES

Denver L. Walker, 93

Denver L. Walker, 93, of Woodstock, passed away Nov. 13, 2024, at his home surrounded by his loving family.

Denver was born on Jan. 23, 1931, the son of William K. and Stella (McCrosky) Walker. He married Audrey Willis on June 17, 1956, in Galva, Ohio.

Denver L. Walker

A lifelong Bible student, he lived those lessons in his final years, sharing love and joy with everyone he came in contact with. He also enjoyed puzzles, reading, and watching wildlife; most of all he loved spending time with his family.

He is survived by his wife, Audrey Walker; children, Jeffrey Walker and Stephen (Cindy) Walker; grandchildren, Jayme Reeves, Brittany (Cliff) Pawlak, Chris Walker, and Tim Walker; great-grandchildren, Nolan, Walker, Reese, Morgan, Janaya and Logan. A special thank you to his caregiver Christa Sherman. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, James Walker; a grandchild, Kyle Walker; and a daughter-in- law, Susan Walker.

A memorial gathering took place on Saturday, Nov. 16, 2024, from 1 p.m. until the service at 3 p.m. at Grace Fellowship Church 200 Cairns Court, Woodstock, IL 60098.

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

Inveatigators

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

Woodstock Police Department

■ Christian E. Solorio, 27, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 9 on North Benton Street on charges of criminal trespass to real property. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Nov. 21.

■ Jasmine M. Caldwell, 34, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 9 on Lake Avenue on a charge of criminal trespass to real property. Released with notice to appear in court Court date Dec. 6.

■ Hanan Y. Kurdi, 32, Elgin, was arrested Nov. 9 on South Eastwood Drive on charges of unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia/cannabis, driving while license suspended, operating uninsured motor vehicle, and operating a motor vehicle while using an electronic communication device. Released with

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 26.

■ Roberto Ramirez-Ayala, 46, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 10 on South. Eastwood Drive on charges of driving under the influence and improper lane usage. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 26.

■ Michael J. Lundy, 63, McHenry, was arrested Nov. 10 on Lake Avenue on charges of driving while license revoked, suspended registration, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 26.

■ Juvencio Petez Marcial, 28, Lake Geneva, Wis., was arrested Nov. 11 on North Seminary Avenue on charges of driving while license revoked, operating

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. 14 to 20: 84

Fire Runs

Outside rubbish, trash or waste fire: 2

Arcing, shorted electrical equipment: 1

Person in distress: 9

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

Driver dies when vehicle hits tree

The lone occupant, the driver, of a car died late Sunday when a car ran off Kimball Avenue and into a tree.

The victim was not immediately identified publicly.

According to a news release from the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District, an ambulance and Woodstock Police responded shortly before 10 p.m. to a report of a vehicle crash in the 400 block of East Kimball Avenue.

While the ambulance was en route, police performd CPR on the driver. Firefighters and paramedics arrived within four minutes to find a heavily damaged vehicle.

Firefighters remained on the scene until 12:30 a.m., assisting with the investigation by Woodstock Police and the McHenry County Regional Major Crash Assistance Team.

an uninsured motor vehicle, and speeding. Released with notice to appear in court Court date Dec. 26.

■ Scott M. Zydel, 48, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 12 on Lake Avenue on charges of driving under the influence, reckless conduct/reckless driving, and aggrivated assault with motor vehicle. Transported to McHenry County Jail. Court date Dec. 5.

■ Sabrina W. Anderson, 35, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 12 on Clay Street on charges of driving while license suspended, driving with expired registration, possession of cannabis in motor vehicle, possession or transport of alcohol in motor vehicle, and driving without registration light. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 19.

Lock-out: 1

Police matter: 1

Dispatched and canceled en route: 1

No incident found on arrival at dispatch address: 1

Alarm system activation, no fire - unintentional: 1

Alarm system sounded due to malfunction: 2

Carbon monoxide detector activation, no CO: 1

Detector activation, no fire - unintentional: 1

Smoke detector activation due to malfunction: 2

Smoke detector activation, no fire – unintentional: 1

Total: 112

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WOODSTOCK FIRE/RESCUE DISTRICT

survey the scene where a driver died late Sunday when his vehicle ran off Kimball Avenue and into a tree.

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| 10/2024

BOARD

John Parisi, and Bruce Farris. All four were also re-elected without opposition in 2021.

Holdover board members are Michelle Bidwell, John Headley, and Jerry Miceli. All were incumbents when they won re-election in a four-candidate race in 2023. Board members run on a nonpartisan slate and are elected atlarge to four-year terms.

IN BRIEF

Paulson Road bridge closed; detour posted

The McHenry County Division of Transportation and the Illinois Department of Transportation have closed the Paulson Road township bridge over the north branch of the Kishwaukee River in Hartland Township after a recent bridge inspection, according to a news release.

A detour route is posted directing drivers to use U.S. 14, Deep Cut Road, and Streit Road. Motorists are encouraged to follow the posted detour. How long the bridge will be closed is uncertain.

The county has been actively working with IDOT to replace the bridge, the release said.

Pending state and local approvals, the bridge replacement project is tentatively scheduled for construction in 2027.

Sheriff’s traffic campaign for holiday through Dec. 2

This Thanksgiving, McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is joining the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement to ensure holiday travelers are buckled up and driving sober with a “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaign through Dec. 2.

The goal of this high-visibility effort is to reduce motor vehicle crashes, injuries and fatalities. Proper seat-belt use is the most effective way to protect vehicle occupants. According to IDOT, the statewide seat-belt usage rate has room for improvement at 92.9%.

The Thanksgiving enforcement effort is made possible by federal traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

WINTER DIGS

Because of upcoming renovation at the McHenry County Fairgrounds, the Woodstock Farmers Market moved to a new winter home at All Seasons Orchard, 14510 Route 176. The market will be open on Dec. 7, 14, and 21, and then every other week beginning Jan. 4 through April 26.

DIE CAST

Continued from Page 1

A sense of relief?

But some council members seemed to be relieved that the city was out from under the CHR plan that was in default of the city agreement by failing to obtain financing, which involved the Illinois Housing Development Authority withdrawing affordable housing tax credits, considered critical to the first phase of the project.

“This is not bad at all,” Councilman Bob Seegers Jr. said, adding that the stalled project could have dragged on for two or three years, “We’re better off ending it.”

“I don’t know that we could have done anything different.” Councilman Gordie Tebo added. “I feel bad it didn’t work out.”

Danielle Gulli, the city’s executive director of business development, said the setback gave the council the opportunity to revisit its 2019 downtown development plan.

In other business, the council: ■ Approved a purchase and sale agreement that gives the city staff up to six months to investigate buying the Prairie View recreational facility, which includes a gymnasium and swimming pool, as a site to continue

city recreational programs while the nearby city Recreation Center undergoes extensive renovation in 2025 –and possibly beyond to expand programming. “This is potentially a good community asset for the money,” the mayor said, saying the city would spend many times the nearly $3 million purchase price to build similar facilities. The city has $5.725 budgeted for expenses involved in the Rec Center rehab.

■ Established a timetable for expansion of the BP gas station at Route 47 and South Street and construction of a Trio convenience by Graham Enterprise and Red Crown Investments. The first stage will rebuild, to city street standards, a privately owned cut-thru road on the south edge of the property by March 31, 2025. That work is underway.

■ Bought, for $300,000, the building at the northwest corner of Calhoun and Madison streets for future city development. A dry cleaners, dance studio, and nail salon might stay in the building while the city decides how to develop the property, which is directly east of a city-owned parking lot where a 60-room Cobblestone Hotel is planned to open in the summer of 2026.

■ Adopted a parks master plan 13 months after it was begun. “This

is a significant step for the city,” the mayor said of the plan, which includes an inventory and assessment of city parks facilities and programs, noting the lack of a dog park and ice skating rink, which Tebo said was important “if you want to draw people in in the wintertime.”

■ Awarded a $4.74 million contract to Manusos General Contracting of Fox Lake to build and make upgrades at the city’s South Wastewater Treatment Plant to reduce phosphorus discharge levels to government standards, and a $391,500 contract to Trotter Associates to provide construction management for the project. “It’s the state EPA that’s driving the requirement here,” Mayor Turner said, acknowledging water and sewer rates might increase to help pay for the work.

■ Recognized several city employees who are observing milestone seniority levels. Among them was police Deputy Chief Rob Pritchard, who was honored with a proclamation upon his pending retirement “for 30 years of dedicated and selfless service” with the police department.

■ Heard reports on the Woodstock Water Works pool for 2024 (attendance and revenues were up) and by auditing firm Sikich on the city’s comprehensive financial report.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY

Woodstock, IL • 1987

Dogged determination gets trash contract right

While it’s not exactly what we in the news business call a “man bites dog” story – in which the characters break stereotype to produce an unexpected or unusual result – we think it’s different enough to merit special attention.

The subject is the well-documented negotiation process between the city of Woodstock and waste hauler MDC Environmental Services on a new 10-year contract.

In following industry standards by improving collections, efficiency, and worker safety, MDC proposed a mandatory toter system in which every household would be given a 95-gallon trash toter, which would allow for automated pick-ups, with trash trucks using mechanical arms to pick up toters and empty their contents into the truck bed.

The fully automated process would allow MDC to discontinue the dangerous practice of having a worker walk the curb alongside a truck to pick up trash bags and throw them into the truck.

But a lot of Woodstock residents didn’t like the proposal. Through a series of public meetings, residents were allowed to comment on the plan, and nearly all comments were negative. Thousands of households still use

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY CHIP HUMBERTSON

Pick of the litter

the trash bags with stickers, finding it appropriate and convenient for their needs.

The 95-gallon toter was too big in many respects, they argued – too big for the trash their households produced, too big to store conveniently, and too big to easily maneuver to the curb each week. Besides, they didn’t

like the toter fee added to their quarterly water and sewer bill, with no “opt-out” provision.

Fortunately, city officials and MDC were willing to continue talks to try to resolve some of the citizens’ concerns. They agreed a 35-gallon toter would be offered. And although the original MDC proposal would have lowered

the current monthly fee of more than $27 for every household, they agreed to a special $10.50 charge for seniors and a $25.17 fee for everyone else.

At the City Council’s Oct. 17 meeting, several people spoke about the proposal, none of them favorably, consistent with earlier public meetings on the topic. Their concerns persuaded the council to postpone a decision until the Nov. 5 meeting. That’s when things took an unusual turn. None of the critics spoke out.

The only citizen to address the council that night was Bob Horrell, a longtime member of the city Plan Commission, who earlier had written to council members with his concern about toter “congestion” in his Sonatas neighborhood of shared driveways. But he wasn’t there that night to complain, but to compliment.

“I’m pleased with the contract,” he told the council of the final agreement. “You did a fine job pulling this thing together.”

The vote was 6-1 in favor of the contract.

“I believe we negotiated as hard as we could,” Mayor Mike Turner said of the city staff.

It showed. And no animals were harmed in the process.

What did you consider in voting for president?

Dear neighbor who voted for Trump: I’m sorry you felt so angry and hurt that you needed to make this choice in order to feel heard. I trust in my heart of hearts that we all want the same good things for our country. I trust you want good jobs for yourself and your kids. I trust you want to drink clean water and breathe clean air. I trust that somehow you believed that your vote was a vote in that direction.

The world is spinning so fast these days it seems impossible. Believing that someone can turn back the clock

feels attractive. I get that.

But here’s the thing – I am genuinely afraid for people I care about. My faith asks me to protect the vulnerable, to welcome the stranger, to love my enemies and to recognize God in the least of those around me. I’m not

Rev. Pam Rumancik Guest Column

sure what yours asks of you. I trust you are doing your best.

I also trust that when you voted, you didn’t intend harm – to the environment, to women, to people just like your forefathers when they immigrated to this country. I hope you believed it was bluster – and you liked the way it pissed off liberals. It was fun to yell ‘boo’ and watch them freak out like a pen full of turkeys. But here’s the thing. I may be wrong. Trump may be all bark and no bite – and I pray to God that is true. But

if even some of the things that the Chicken Little’s on the left say is true, if even a portion of the Project 2025 plan is carried out, a lot of people and wildlife are going to be harmed. Not just freaked out but in real danger. And I trust that you don’t want that. I trust your heart is good and you care. So, here’s the deal. If that starts happening, and you want to continue being a good person, you have to stand up for them. You have to take

Continued on Next page

What’s your ‘Third Place’?

I came across the term “Third Place” recently and looked up the reference: “American sociologist Ray Oldenburg developed the notion of a ‘Third Place’ as ‘a space for informal, free social interaction.’”

It’s called “Third Place” because it’s outside of the two main “places” most people have – home and work. Basically, it’s a place with no agenda where people can gather and feel safe to be themselves with friends and community members.

Woodstock has a lot of Third Places, including parks, coffee shops and restaurants, churches, community centers, and meeting places for clubs and organizations. It can be as organized as a monthly book club or bowling league, or as intermittent as meeting up at that place – you know, the one you always end up at. Maybe it’s once a week for lunch or watching the Bears whenever they have a home game at your favorite bar (OK, maybe a Packers game, too … ). A Third Place is simply somewhere you go because you want to be there, not because you have to be there.

I fondly remember my first experience with a Third Place. Technically, it was a workplace – my first after-school job in high school. It was at a small local department store

Continued from Previous page

responsibility for your vote and work to mitigate the harm he has promised. And you have to get out of your media bubble so you know it’s happening. We all have them – but it is easy to climb out. There are numerous apps which bring news from across the ideological spectrum. One called ‘Ground’ gives you access to left, right and center news stories. You can open all of them and see how things are being covered beyond your favorites. Only listening to people who tell you what you want to hear is what divided this country so awfully in the first place. Rich people who own media empires (especially ones who are not American) don’t care what damage they cause. They make money by making us afraid. Don’t let them. Listen across the spectrum and make up your own mind.

If we want a healthy, clean, loving

in Chicago (way back when those still existed). But it was also the first place where I was free to be whoever I wanted to be. No one there knew me in the context of my family, neighborhood, school, or upbringing. There were no preconceived expectations.

My co-workers were mostly the same age as I was. We adopted the local diner across the street for lunchtime and after-work gatherings. We laughed, shared fries, and occasionally tried the patience of the waitress when we got a bit loud. We also hung out on weekends, with lots of music, informal parties, laughter, and road trips. My best memory of that Third Place is of a cute guy I met there. He’s still cute; I can attest to that because I married him.

When I first heard about the concept of a Third Place, I immediately thought of Susan Murray’s Oct. 16 article, written a year after the gas explosion across from St. Mary Church. She interviewed some of the residents who lived near the explosion site as

and respectful country, we have to begin by acting that way. We have to be grateful to our veterans – who fought for the values of liberty and freedom. We have to prevent billionaires from running the world any way they want – always to their own benefit – and work with everyday people to protect our land, our water, and our air from harm.

We have to protect those that God named the least of these and see the spirit of life in each and every person. We have to remember what we have in common instead of focusing on our differences. We have to trust that all of us together are better than any one of us alone. E pluribus unum – out of many, one. This was a foundation of our country – and if we’re going to fix it, we’ll have to do it together.

The Rev. Pamela Rumancik is a semiretired Unitarian Universalist minister who moved into the area in 2020.

they recounted what they did in the aftermath.

Antoinette Naber lived two houses down from the blast site. She ran from her home with her two daughters and the family dog and headed to the Woodstock Public Library for help. Assistant Director Martha Hansen found a leash for the dog, wrapped the girls in jackets from the library’s donation area, gave them snacks, and watched them so their mom could go back and see what was happening to their home. It was second nature to head to the library, the welcoming place that is a Third Place for a lot of us in Woodstock.

Meeting with other people in public places of any kind stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic. The jury is still out as to when, or whether, those Third Places will return to pre-COVID levels of activity. I hope the damage is not permanent and that we all make it back to our favorite places to be with other people on a regular basis.

What’s your Third Place? Send it to us at news@thewoodstockindependent.com so we can share them in a future Declarations.

Eileen Millard is a regular freelance contributor to The Woodstock Independent.

» YOUR VIEW

With Conservation District, taxpayers be damned, still

McHenry County Conservation District’s super slick 33% tax permanent tax increase referendum passes; this will give the district over $3 million of your hard-earned money to spend! Taxpayers be damned, again! This is on top of their published Notice Of Proposed Property Tax Increase Levy for 2024. The district’s proposed corporate and “special” purpose property taxes to be levied for 2024 are $13,136,463, a 44.5% increase over the previous year. Taxpayers be damned, again!

Bob Anderson Wonder Lake

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Schools

Local students shine at ILMEA festivals

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Music students at Woodstock’s three high schools and two middle schools continue to excel in the annual auditions for the Illinois Music Educators Association. More than 25,000 teachers and students take part in ILMEA events.

Every year, music students are invited to audition for the ILMEA’s honor ensembles. ILMEA offers audition opportunities for elementary through high school students in band, chorus, general music, jazz, and orchestra. The Woodstock area is located in the organization’s District 7, which held its middle school concert festival on Nov. 2 at Wauconda High School and the senior level concert festival on Nov. 9 at Glenbrook South High School. All participants submitted video auditions from which about 25% are selected for ILMEA performances.

Two Marian students honored

Two students from Marian Central Catholic High School were recognized for their choir participation. Senior Colin Zecchin has participated in choir and theater for all four of his high school

years. Junior Sabrina Noon has performed with the school’s choir, band, and theater programs for three years.

“We have had students represent us at the ILMEA District 7 for choir and band for the past three years of my four years at Marian,” music director Andrew Ossler said. “This follows a tradition of music students representing Marian for many years.”

D-200 qualifiers

Woodstock School District 200 sent 23 qualifiers to the November festivals, representing its high schools and middle schools. Stacie Savittieri directs the orchestra and Katy Holub directs the band at Northwood Middle School. The Creekside Middle School directors are Lyndra Bastian, seventh- and eighth-grade orchestra; Andrew Viveros, sixth-grade orchestra; and Amanda Storer, chorus.

The Woodstock High School directors include Kevin Fredrick, band; Brian Jozwiak, chorus; and Lyndra Bastian, orchestra. The directors at WNHS are William Kraemer-Simpson, band; Megan Kim, chorus; and Stacie Savittieri, orchestra.

See ILMEA, Page 10

D-200 eighth-grade literacy scores tops in county

By Kevin Lyons DISTRICT 200

Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 had the highest eighth-grade reading scores in McHenry County and high reading scores across all grade levels when compared with other Illinois schools, according to recently released 2024 Illinois School Report Card data.

Overall, Creekside Middle School earned an “Exemplary” designation from the Illinois State

Board of Education for the second year in a row, while Northwood Middle School wasn’t far behind with the second highest eighth-grade literacy scores.

Details of the eighth-grade literacy, math scores

For comparison purposes, 76% of District 200’s eighth-graders met or exceeded literacy readiness standards, while about 50% of eighth-graders across Illinois met or exceeded the state

standards. That score also surpassed scores in neighboring Huntley, Crystal Lake, Cary, and other McHenry County school districts.

“Leaving eighth grade with the ability to read at grade level allows students to enter high school with the ability to take advantage of all of the opportunities our high schools offer. We are very excited to see this achievement in eighth grade,” D-200 Superintendent Mike Moan said.

D200 PHOTO

Local students shine at the Illinois Music Educators Association festivals.

REPORT CARD

All other District 200 schools earned “Commendable” designations based on their math and reading scores across all grade levels and subgroups.

At the Nov. 12 District 200 Board of Education meeting, Moan presented Report Card comparison data highlighting the district’s scores against McHenry County districts and Illinois districts with similar demographic populations.

“This is really impressive,” said board president Carl Gilmore. “We’re certainly competitive in all of these areas with all of the districts around here. I think it’s terrific that we’re doing the work that we are.”

Board member John Headley also congratulated the teaching staff and administration for outstanding work in achieving the test results.

Details of the sixth-, third-grades District 200 also had the highest sixth-grade reading scores in McHenry County and the secondhighest third-grade reading scores.

Moan explained that with more than 40% of students participating in the dual language program, students’ reading growth takes more time in the younger grades as students learn to read in two languages. Many eventually move ahead of their peers at higher grade levels.

In addition to reading, District 200 students overall outpaced McHenry County school districts in math growth from year to year.

When compared to districts with similar demographics, such as District 300, Moline, and Sterling, among others, and the state overall, District 200 students also performed better in several categories in reading and math.

Results surpass pre-pandemic

One other bright spot according to the latest data is that eighthgrade reading scores have surpassed scores from years prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic from 46% meeting or exceeding reading expectations in 2019 to 76% last

Creekside Middle School teacher Cammy Gertz works with students on Nov. 15 in her eighth-grade literacy class. Last year’s Creekside eighth graders had the highest reading scores in McHenry County, according to recently released Illinois School Report Card data.

“Since the early days of the pandemic, our efforts have been to regain and then surpass our achievement prior to the pandemic,”

ILMEA

Continued from Page 9 year.

“Our students in D-200 work incredibly hard to prepare strong auditions for ILMEA,” Bastian said. “It is incredibly difficult to be accepted for both middle school and high school students.”

“It’s quite an accomplishment, Jozwiak said. “We are proud of them for their hard work, passion, and skill.”

The D-200 ILMEA qualifiers

were Creekside band member Erik Johanson and orchestra members Sophia Dymek, Hazeligh Rosemann, and Benjamin Webb.

Northwood qualifiers were orchestra member Liviana Marquez and Grace Mitchell for band. WHS had 11 students accepted

Moan said. “Our eighth-grade scores are now at that point. This has been a great effort by our staff, our students, and families,” Moan said.

into ILMEA: Simon Shaffer, band; Landon-Thompson-Neal and Ian Hansen, orchestra; and chorus members Tyler Beckman, Rochtli Olivas Gutierrez, Noah Johnson, Daniel Nilsson, Javi Rivas, Meadow Roth, Meghan Sullivan, and Kaghan True.

Six music students were chosen from WNHS: Tyler Chaney, orchestra; Liberty Johnson, band; and chorus members Maren Filetti, Jessica Mrowicki, Sean Fiorina, and Reid Verastique.

“It’s wonderful for these students to spend a day making music with peers from all over the Chicagoland area,” chorus director Kim said. “They got to work with conductor Lonnie Norwood from United Voices Chicago, who provided a new and unique experience for the day.”

‘Christmas on the Ranch’

Woodstock horsewoman helps Nicely Entertainment wrangle another feel-good holiday film

By Tricia Carzoli and Sandy Kucharski NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

After filming “Reporting for Christ mas” at the Cherry Tree Inn Bed and Breakfast, Nicely Entertainment pro ducers Chris Charles and John Bosher tapped Woodstock business owner Jodi Funk to support their 2024 Christ mas movie release – “Christmas on the Ranch.”

While much of the filming took place in Long Grove, Chicago, and Hawthorne Woods, the main equine characters came from Funk’s Diamond Acres Farm on Lucas Road.

“Our stunt coordinator Aaron Crippen had worked with Jodi [Funk] in the past and trusted her completely,” Bosher said. “We were able to rely on her expertise to choose the horses that would work well for our main characters. We gave her some parameters as far as types of horses, and she chose the horses that she felt were best suited for the roles.”

When Campbell makes a job switch from Chicago to New York, her drive is interrupted by an accident caused by Spirit – a horse played by local horse Gem. Stuck in Cedar Grove while repairs are made, Campbell learns about therapeutic riding taking place at the Hendersons’ ranch. Corey was led to therapeutic riding after his wife’s death while trying to help his daughter Heather deal with the loss.

A clear choice

Horses were essential to the production. The script required some direct contact between the actors and horses as well as horse-related action requiring a stunt person.

“We had never worked with horses on a production before,” Bosher said. “And the main characters – who are not experienced horse riders –needed to interact with them a lot. There is also a scene where we needed to bring in Aaron Crippen for more difficult riding.”

Known for its feel-good, family-friendly content, Nicely Entertainment’s newest release

features Houston Rhines as Corey Henderson, Jade Harlowe as Christina Campbell, and Saige Chaseley as Corey’s daughter Heather Henderson.

Crippen – a Chicagoland-based stuntman whose work has been featured on shows such as “Chicago Fire” – told Bosher the only person he’d work with was his friend Funk.

Funk has more than 20 years of experience

See RANCH Page 12

COURTESY PHOTOS

(At left) The stars of “Christmas at the Ranch,” Christina Campbell (Jade Harlow), Heather Henderson (Saige Chaseley), and Corey Henderson (Houston Rhines), with Spirit (Gem) the horse in Cedar Grove. (Above) Woodstock horse trainer Jodi Funk with Rhines.

Rhines and Harlowe head out on the trail during the filming of “Christmas at the Ranch.”

Continued from Page 11

training horses and running the facility, but her real passion is helping students gain confidence and problem-solve their relationships with their horses. Also no stranger to performing, Funk does a liberty horse act (in which the horses are directed by verbal cues without a rider or rope attached) with her Andalusian gelding Amador, and she competes in various disciplines, including ranch horse and working equitation.

“When we talked with Jodi,” Bosher said, “it was clear that she had the knowledge we were looking for.”

Bosher said writer Terry Kinane had come up with a story that had “spectacularly great elements – we wanted to keep the horse elements –especially the idea that the humans and horses help each other.”

Kinane and Adam Rockoff developed a screenplay that had a very marketable combination of the relationships between horses and humans, and the beauty of equine therapy.

Bosher gave Funk the key elements to work with; Funk eagerly accepted. She started by meeting with Bosher to learn how many horses were needed and what roles they would play in the film. Running a boarding facility, Funk had the advantage of access to a variety of horses whose temperaments and skills she was intimately familiar with.

The final cut

After careful consideration, Funk chose three horses that she felt would be right for the job: Doc, owned by Diane Lindgren; Gem, owned by Karen Sullivan; and Dallas, owned by Laurel Podgorski.

All three horses scored leading roles.

Funk considered many factors in making her choice, including age, abilities, and most important, temperament. Not only did the horses need to look good playing their part, but they needed to perform well with actors who may not have had any equine experience. The animals had to be solid enough – referred to as bombproof – to handle unfamiliar objects and situations like camera booms in their faces and

camera-carrying four-wheelers tracking alongside of them.

Bosher agreed with her choices, and they prepped for filming, which took place last November. Funk hosted a mini camp of sorts at Diamond Acres with the actors and crew present. The goal was to familiarize everyone with the horse co-stars and go over some basic horse-handling skills. A tight schedule and some unseasonably cold weather shortened the duration of the training camp, but Funk was confident in the abilities of the horses she chose, and they moved on to filming.

On the set

The scenes involving the horses took about three weeks, shooting at two different barns in Long Grove, and a downtown location. Each horse’s owner was on set as a wrangler.

Funk said the equine actors performed like pros, and filming was a success. This was due in large part to the professional insight Funk brought to the production.

“The overall experience was good,” Bosher said. “It was cool to see this added element of horses on a production set.”

Previous experience handling pets and small farm animals for film productions taught Funk important skills like how to stay out of the camera shots.

“Your brain has to morph,” she said. “You have to think like a producer. You have to keep the animals happy, the producer happy, and the actors happy.”

Her years of instructing riders also came into play.

“Everything the actors did, from touching or handling a horse to riding, I taught them,” Funk said. “It takes all your training skills to do this in five minutes.”

As a horse person, she explained that even the most routine actions, such as unloading an animal from a trailer or coiling a rope, were a challenge for filming because the actors had to make it look natural, and Funk had to ensure that they could do those same tasks the same way for 20 takes.

To ensure accuracy, she had to be certain the actors were holding the reins correctly and mounting confidently. She recalled Rhines was going to use a mounting block to get on Doc – who portrayed Achilles in the film – in one of the scenes. She

told the director that cowboys don’t use mounting blocks and proceeded to teach him the proper technique for swinging up in the saddle.

Chaseley came into the production with some riding experience, but the two adult actors had not recently been around horses.

“It was a treat getting to work with horses for the film,” Chaseley said. “At first, I was a little nervous that Dallas [who played Stardust] wouldn’t take to me, so I was relieved when he followed my lead. He was so sweet, and we really bonded on set.”

Gaining trust with those actors and watching them grow in their familiarity with horses was a treat for Funk.

“It was fun,” she said. “Houston would ask a lot of questions, and I watched him get inspired by the movie.”

While the California actor came into the production thinking the horse interaction would be no big deal, Funk said by the end of filming he admitted that horses are amazing. Bosher, who said he had no equine experience, was asked to hold a lead rope on occasion.

“Standing by the horses, they sniff you and check you out,” he said. “They are such large, majestic creatures … being on the peripheral, it was incredible to be able to dramatize this relationship as well as experience it.”

While there are many other horses in the background of the film, the horses at Diamond Acres got a starring role

With all the work, travel, and time spent away from her own ranch, would Funk do something like this again?

“Absolutely,” Funk said.

“Christmas on the Ranch” began streaming Nov. 1 on Hulu.

COURTESY PHOTO

Actors head down the trail with crew and cameras all around.

Business

‘Hoping to be part of the arts resurgence’

Lorette’s Dragonfly Studio & Gallery opens in the Woodstock Mall

By Susan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

When she was 9 years old, Lorette Dodt asked for her first camera and received a Kodak Instamatic with a box of flashcubes. The pointand-shoot camera had a mechanism on top where the flashcube was attached when taking pictures indoors or in low light. Each cube was good for four flashes before it had to be discarded and replaced.

From that elementary beginning, Dodt’s skill and reputation as a photographer grew to the point where she has had a successful career in exhibiting and selling her work.

She recently opened a second location of Lorette’s Dragonfly Studio & Gallery in the Woodstock Mall, in one of the places vacated by the Green Spot bookstore’s move across the hall.

‘It

changed my life’

Four years after Dodt received her first camera, her parents moved the

family to the mountains near Milan, Italy, so that one of her sisters could study Montessori education.

“It changed my life,” Dodt said. “I realized that I needed a good camera.”

Back in the United States, Dodt became the town photographer for the Park Ridge Advocate at age 14.

She progressed from dropping off the film in her camera at the nearest drugstore for developing to working out of her own darkroom.

“I’ve had a darkroom in every place I’ve lived,” Dodt said. “No closet was safe.”

A workshop she took with Ansel Adams in the late 1970s transformed her photography from primarily portraiture to landscapes, as the black-and-white nature photographer ignited a desire in her to capture place and space.

“My dream is to photograph all over the world,” Dodt said.

And while she has multiple images from Ireland hanging in her gallery,

many are simple scenes that she captures near her home in Trout Valley.

Jewelry, mobiles, and more

In addition to photography, Dodt’s studio includes jewelry and mobiles.

She had studied jewelry-making in college, returning to it when photography emerged from darkrooms in the digital age.

Realizing she still needed the tactile aspect when creating art, she began crafting earrings and other pieces, with dragonflies as a frequent motif.

Showcasing other artists

A portion of the Dragonfly Studio & Gallery is set aside for other artists to display their work for sale.

“It’s so hard for artists to get their art displayed,” Dodt said.

She noted that gallery commissions can be high and

See DRAGONFLY Page 14

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office Oct. 21 to 24 .

■ Office at 210 N. Madison St., Woodstock, was sold by D1 Support LLC, Schaumburg, to Bregan Properties LLC, Crystal Lake, for $67,500.

■ Residence at 403 W. South St., Woodstock, was sold by Bennett Blake, Woodstock, to Alexander Riegler, Crystal Lake, for $300,000.

■ Residence at 4009 McCauley Road, Woodstock, was sold by the Charles P. Kane and Andrea L. Kane Trusts, Winnetka, to Adam R. Provenzano, Woodstock, for $400,000.

■ Vacant lane, approximately 3 acres, at Lot 41 E. Longwood Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Knickerbocker Properties LLC, Bull Valley, to Charles Wood, Berwyn, for $50,000.

■ Residence at 2719 Franklinville Road, Woodstock, was sold by Ann L. Chaney, Boliva, N.C., to Ryan Wells, Woodstock, for $451,000.

■ Residence at 15110 Walsh Drive, Woodstock, was sold by The Estate of Geraldine C. Frank, Woodstock, to Ricardo Bustos Jaimes, Woodstock, for $310,000.

■ Residence at 1203 Jewett St., Woodstock, was sold by Michael S. Neumann, Milwaukee, Wis., to Falina Cortez, Woodstock, for $225,000.

■ Vacant land at Dacy and Washington streets, Woodstock, was sold by Dennis F. Altergott, Union, to Greyson Smith, Woodstock, for $25,000.

Kim Keefe

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY

Lorette Dodt stands with her jewelry and photography on display in her Dragonfly Studio & Gallery in the Woodstock Mall.

As November comes to a close, so do MobCraft and Duke’s Inferno

By Susan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

All places where people gather around food and drink open with great hopes for a long run. After 13 months in business, two such gathering places in Woodstock have decided to call it quits.

MobCraft Beer, the taproom in the Sheriff’s House, will close on Nov. 30.

According to what owner Henry Schwartz and general manager Jimmy Geallis told city employees, business in Woodstock has been profitable. The Milwaukee Brewery and Taproom’s expansion in Wisconsin and Denver did not go well, however, resulting in a debt load that could not be overcome, said Danielle Gulli, the city’s executive director of business development.

While MobCraft still has a short period to find someone interested in taking over the taproom’s business in Woodstock, “the city has interest from

potential lessees,” Gulli said.

Dec. 1 will be the last day of operation for Duke’s Inferno.

The restaurant opened last Nov. 1 at 11671 Catalpa Lane with an emphasis on pizza using locally sourced ingredients, complementing owner and chef Zak Dolezal’s long-running Duke’s Alehouse in Crystal Lake.

“We took a risk and are super-proud of what we accomplished,” Dolezal said in a recent Facebook post.

“The restaurant was a dream for me,” Dolezal told The Woodstock Independent. “It’s a tough business, and it was a tough location. I hope I get a chance to do something like it again.”

For Woodstock residents who will miss the cooking at Duke’s Inferno, the Food Shed Co-op on Lake Shore Drive carries prepared meals inspired by Dolezal’s recipes, including chicken salad, grain bowls, a tofu Asian salad, and meatloaf, said Peter Waldmann, the Food Shed’s general manager.

DRAGONFLY

Continued from Page 13

sometimes artists are required to put in hours working at a gallery in order for their pieces to be displayed.

The “vast community of artists” she knows comes in part from her studio’s first – and still operating – location at the Starline Factory in Harvard that she opened in 2011.

For the past six years, she has run Starline’s 4th Friday events with a juried art show, live music, and open galleries.

The artists will not only display in Dodt’s gallery but will join her in teaching courses as well.

A teaching background

Dodt’s talent is backed by extensive knowledge across a variety of artistic disciplines.

For 37 years, she taught graphic design and photography at Triton College in River Grove. As chair of the visual arts department for 25 years, she developed the college’s desktop publishing and digital photography programs before retiring in 2019.

She plans to teach courses at the studio in jewelry and mobile making and expects that she and guest artists will offer courses –one-on-one, small group, or for parties – in painting, photo montage, collage, drawing, felting, computer art, and sculpture.

Expanding into Woodstock

By opening a second gallery in Woodstock, Dodt said, “I’m hoping to have more people see the work.”

She wanted to be on the Square, and the location at the back of the mall gives her gallery light from Throop Street.

“Woodstock has always strived to be an artists’ center,” Dodt said. “I’m hoping to be part of the arts resurgence here.”

Community

Many hands provide help

Woodstock community steps up to help residents experiencing food insecurity

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Thanksgiving is a cherished American holiday that celebrates family, friends, and lots of food, with the shared meal usually the centerpiece of the day. However, for many of our Woodstock neighbors there is little to celebrate on Thanksgiving due to food insecurity.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that in 2023 47.4 million people lived in food-insecure households, defined by having limited or uncertain access to nutritious food, usually due to economic or social conditions. This differs from hunger, which is a consequence of food insecurity manifested by illness, weakness, or pain caused by lack of food.

The Woodstock community steps up to relieve this inequity, not only on Thanksgiving but throughout the year.

The city of Woodstock combats food insecurity by hosting a community-supported food pantry that is located in the Woodstock Public Library’s entryway. Patrons are asked to donate nonperishable items when they visit the library. This food pantry is supported solely through community donations and does not use library funds. The library’s website lists the items most needed.

“The library’s pantry receives steady donations for our visitors and patrons, but there are times when it is down to nothing,” said Martha Hansen, assistant director and head of adult services. “This food is available to anyone who comes in, including homeless persons. We started the pantry in 2020 and are so grateful that the community shows how much we care about one another.”

The Woodstock Food Pantry is a major ongoing source of food for residents residing in Woodstock School District 200’s boundaries. This allvolunteer effort welcomes donations of food or funds from individuals and groups. The WFP serves an average of nearly 1200 persons per month due to the community’s generosity.

Major donors providing food to WFP during 2024 were the Boy Scouts, the U.S. Postal Service, Panera, Menard’s, Dad’s Farm of St. Joseph, Michigan, Banford Road Farm in Woodstock, McDonald’s, Woodstock Harley Davidson, high school service clubs, and many more. This support totaled 76,823 pounds of food donations in 2023.

For the recent fire victims of the St. John’s Road

apartments, the food pantry sent truckloads of food the following day to St. John’s Lutheran Church to help feed the displaced victims. WFP volunteers also hosted two private days at their location to help those affected by the apartment fires.

“We gathered volunteers immediately to assemble shelf-stable fruits, vegetables, bread, energy bars, and even toothpaste for the victims,” WFP President Bruce Thacker said. “We are glad to give back, especially since the community is so generous in giving to us.”

One ongoing support program in D-200 schools is “Kindness Closets,” begun in 2017 as the result of a D-200 high school service project. In 2020, the district joined efforts with the Woodstock Area Community Ministries that supported Kindness Closets at all schools. In addition to finding snacks, students needing support can also receive toiletries and winter clothing.

“Coming to school with hunger or lack of important things at home can take away a student’s focus and concentration needed to be successful in school,” WHS counselor Anne Rogers said. “Any student can access the Kindness Closet with no questions asked. We have also joined forces with the Woodstock Rotary program to provide weekend food bags that go home on Fridays to students who need a little extra support.”

Parent educator Cristina Mazzanti at Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center added that

students and staff visit the school’s Kindness Closet daily.

The congregations at St. Ann’s Episcopal Church and St. Mary Catholic Church regularly host the Northern Illinois Food Bank (NIFB) Mobile Markets truck in their parking lots. Prepackaged food bags are distributed to all who attend.

Meals on Wheels serves Woodstock residents throughout the year through its driver volunteers from local churches who deliver food prepared by Northwestern Hospital’s kitchen to those who are unable to secure food for themselves.

Founder and Executive Director Rob Mutert at Warp Corps on the Woodstock Square indicated that his organization always has food available for youth and homeless or low income clients.

“At our headquarters on the Woodstock Square, we have free snacks and small meals for our youth clients that are utilized daily,” head of business operations Clay Mutert said. “We feed many kids each day after school.”

Warp Corps, along with MBI Cares, will host a free Thanksgiving meal from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27, at the MBI office, located at 27 W. Judd Street in Woodstock. Anyone is welcome to attend.

These organizations and charities are just a small sampling of the Woodstock community’s generosity in feeding our residents. Woodstock can be very proud of the support it provides unselfishly to those experiencing food insecurity.

The Woodstock Public Library’s assis tant director Martha Hansen stands next to the food pantry in the library’s lobby.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY JANET DOVIDIO (From left) Trish Moore, Pam Moorhouse, and John Moorhouse sort a large food drive donation from the Villas at Bull Valley at the Woodstock Food Pantry.

Better later than earlier

The third cloudy, damp, and dismal day in a row in mid-November gives one time to reflect and ask oneself, “Have I finished all my garden tasks for the year?”

There are tasks to be done before the first hard freeze and a few afterward. A hard freeze occurs when the temperature drops to 28 degrees or lower, essentially ending the growing season. Keeping your eye on the weekly weather predictions can help you plan time to get a few more garden tasks done – either pre- or post-hard freeze. Oct. 15 is considered the average date for the first hard freeze; however, in 1931, the first hard freeze was on Nov. 24! Considering our current weather predictions, we could have a big window of gardening opportunity. If you have planted what are considered tender bulbs, now is the time to dig them up to store them for the winter. Flowering plants, such as gladiolus, dahlias, canna and calla lilies, and tuberous begonias are examples of plants that are not hardy in growing zones 3-7 and must be dug up and stored. McHenry County lies in growing zone 5b.

Store bulbs in a cool, dry place - an unheated garage that doesn’t freeze would work - ideally 35 to 45 degrees. Pack bulbs in a container that is not airtight between layers of sand, sawdust, or shredded paper, and make sure that the bulbs do not touch.

Container plantings have become very popular; now would be the time to empty the containers. The annual plants have withered and turned brown. They and the soil in the containers can be put into your compost pile or spread onto vegetable beds. If you don’t have a lot of room to store your pots and must leave them outside, be sure to turn them upside down so they

don’t collect water, freeze, and then break.

If you want your hoses to last a long time, learn how to store them properly before freezing weather comes to stay. Obviously it’s important to drain all of the water out to prevent the hoses from freezing, which will make them expand, crack, and burst. Disconnect them from the spigot and elevate one end until all the water has drained out.

If planning to store them in a warm, dry location, it’s important to wash any dirt or debris off first so you don’t attract pests. A cool, dry location, such as a garage or shed away from the elements, will work well.

If you’ve been keeping liquid fertilizers, insect sprays, or weed killers in a garden shed or garage, they need to be moved to a warm place so they don’t freeze. These types of products need to be stored somewhere safe, such as a locked cabinet if you have children.

After the hard freeze is the perfect time to prepare annual flower

gardens for spring. Remove the deceased annuals and dig up and turn over the soil, incorporating organic materials, such as compost or manure, to improve the soil for next year’s planting. Manure improves the soil structure, aids water retention ability, and adds nutrients. Adding fresh manure now allows the breakdown of pathogens before the spring planting season.

Mulching at the beginning of winter after the hard freeze in your perennial flower beds is a perfect solution to help keep your plants dormant through the whole season. Wait until the ground freezes; then add 4 to 6 inches of organic matter. This not only helps keep the plants dormant, but prevents rodents from nesting in the soil.

“Nature doesn’t cut down spent flowers or rake leaves each autumn, and if we’re going to garden for wildlife and less maintenance –for bees and butterflies and aching backs – then we need to take

nature’s lead in the way we garden,” according to monarchgard.com.

Leaving the garden clean-up until spring helps winter birds find food when they most need it - the flower heads full of seeds are high in fat and nutrients. The larvae of native bees use the cavities inside plant stems for nesting sites. Trees are smart. They drop their leaves around their root zones, fertilizing themselves. Leaves and plant debris are incorporated into the soil by worms, insects, moles, and bacteria, which improve the soil by adding fertilizer and increasing water penetration and storage. Nature accomplishes the circle of life without our help!

And that is why it is better to wait until spring to cut back your garden - better later than earlier.

Nancy Shevel of Marengo writes a garden column for The Independent. She has completed the Master Gardeners course.

A pine siskin eating seeds from a thistle and wildflowers, and a black-capped chicadee feeding on a branch.

Nancy Shevel Guest Column

Student of the Week - Brady Yergens

Brady Yergens, a senior at Woodstock High School, is the son of Eric and Jaime Yergens.

The teacher that nominated him said, “Brady is an unbelievably hard working student and athlete. He is always productive and pays close attention to detail. He has great critical thinking and questioning skills. He is such a kind and thoughtful young man, I’m so blessed to have him in my classroom every day.”

Brady has been on the high honor roll for six semesters and is a member of the National Honor Society. He par-

ticipates in the Dual Degree

the

Our first “Lost Woodstock” Photo Detective has stumped our faithful readers.

The 1846 Presbyterian Church stood at the corner of Church and Jefferson Streets. The plaque marking the location is on the building at 222 Church St., now the University Center at MCC. Look on the Jefferson Street side of the building by the railroad tracks to see it.

– Susan W. Murray

28 THURSDAY

THANKSGIVING DAY

29 FRIDAY

LIGHTING OF THE SQUARE

Woodstock Square

4 to 8 p.m.

The Woodstock Moose will be serving free hot chocolate from 5 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

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.

815-338-6787

10 TUESDAY

D-200 BOARD OF EDUCATION MEETING

Woodstock High School

501 W. South

7 p.m.

12 THURSDAY

CREATIVE LIVING SERIES: MARGOT SHAW

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

10 a.m.

$27

woodstockoperahouse.com

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB

TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

13 FRIDAY

OPEN MIC NIGHT

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

Happenings calendar Resurrection Catholic Church

BALLET’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

2 and 6 p.m.

$51 front row balcony; $31 standard seating (including fees)

OPEN MIC STORYTELLING

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

2 to 4 p.m.

Hosted by Jim May

17 TUESDAY

To sign up, email Keith@offsquare music.com

‘THE NUTCRACKER BALLET’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

$51 front row balcony; $31 standard seating (including fees)

14 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK INDOOR FARMERS MARKET

All Seasons Orchard 14510 Rt. 176

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

‘THE NUTCRACKER BALLET’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St. 2 and 7 p.m.

$51 front row balcony; $31 standard seating (including fees)

15 SUNDAY ‘THE NUTCRACKER

WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL

Council Chambers, City Hall

121 W. Calhoun St.

7 p.m.

woodstockil.gov

‘WHITE CHRISTMAS SING-ALONG’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

$10

18 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

‘WHITE CHRISTMAS SING-ALONG’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

$10

FLASHBACKS

35 years ago – 1989

■ The Woodstock School District 200 Board of Education approved a 17.3 percent increase in the tax levy.

30 years ago – 1994

■ An estimated 90 people attended a D-200 Board of Education meeting. The majority of them were there to support the construction of a new high school.

■ D-200 Board of Education President Brian McLaughlin said, “It is likely that we will begin split shifts or extended days within two years either at the elementary or middle school level, possibly even at the high school level” if voters didn’t approve an upcoming building referendum.

25 years ago – 1999

■ Woodstock VFW Post 5040 named Wayne Dye Teacher of the Year. Dye was in his 29th year in D-200 and had taught physical education and coached middle school football and basketball.

■ Woodstock Recreation Director Dave Zinnen presented two designs for the city’s new aquatic center to the City Council. The favored two-pool design would have three times the surface area of the Peters Pool and be within the approved $4 million budget.

20 years ago – 2004

■ Mercy Health System, based in Janesville, Wis., went before McHenry County Judge Michael J. Sullivan to argue for dismissal of a second count entered by Woodstock-based Centegra Health System in the ongoing battle over Mercy’s plan to build an $81.4 million, 70-bed hospital at the intersection of Route 31 and Three Oaks Road in Crystal Lake.

15 years ago – 2009

■ Lisa Kelly reviewed the Woodstock Musical Theatre Company’s production of “A Christmas Carol.” She described it as “truly a feast on every level.” Christopher Robert O’Reilly was Scrooge, and David Comella was Cratchit. Leland Humbertson was the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come. The director/producer was Kathie Comella.

■ By the end of November, farmers in the area were on top of the corn harvest after lengthy delays caused by large amounts of rain and little sun to dry the corn in the fields. Farmers reported yields were above average.

■ The Thunder Youth Football bantam team won the Tri-County Youth Football League championship, defeating the Cary Trojans 7-0.

10 years ago – 2014

■ Eight people had filed to be on the ballot for three Woodstock City Council seats. Incumbents Maureen Larson

and Mark Saladin were seeking another term. Challengers were Daniel Lemanski, Don Frick, Gregory Hanson, Scott Gessert, Robert Beardsley, and Dan Hart. Incumbent Julie Dillon, who had served on the council since 2005, was not seeking re-election.

■ Mother and son Lisa Czarny-Hyrkas and Trevor Hyrkas were performing as Mrs. Cratchit and Tiny Tim in the Woodstock Musical Theatre Company’s production of “A Christmas Carol” at the Woodstock Opera House. It was their first opportunity to be on stage together.

■ The 12 volunteers who were running the Clothing Closet for McHenry County were continuing a program started by Church Women United. It was incorporated in 1991. The resale shop was providing support for the Salvation Army, Pioneer Center’s PADS program, Woodstock Area Community Ministries, St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Mary Church, and Resurrection Church’s social service program. In addition, donations were made annually to Christmas Clearing House and five area food pantries.

5 years ago – 2019

■ The Woodstock City Council voted 6-1 to approve a video gambling license for BBQ King, 125 E. Calhoun St. With the approval, the gambling permit maximum written into city ordinance of one license per 1,000 in population was filled.

■ In 2016, Woodstock High School was the first D- 200 school to offer a Kindness Closet, a place for students to find winter clothing, food items, a toothbrush, deodorant and other things they might not have at home. Three years later, Kindness Closets had opened at four other schools.

■ Women’s clothing shopping received a boost on the Woodstock Square with the opening of Hattie & Myrt, 100 N. Benton St. The store, owned by Nancy Leonard, her daughter Shannon Bailey, and daughter-in-law Maureen Leonard, was carrying slacks, tops, blouses, sweaters, jeans and dresses. “Retail is in our blood,” Nancy Leonard said. Her mother and aunt opened Lenhart’s in Harvard in the 1960s and a second location in the Woodstock Galleria in 1986.

1 year ago – 2023

■ In choosing to draw on its fund balance to pay down its school constructions debt, the D-200 Board of Education decided to increase payments in 2024 and 2025 to avoid a spike in the local property tax rate those two year. Instead of the usual $13 million annual payments, D-200 would budget about $21.7 million for the bond debt in those two years.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY DENNIS MATHES

HARVARD MAIN LINE — Service

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, November 27, 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, November 27, 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 110

WOODSTOCK, IL 60098

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent November 20, 2024, November 27, 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

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, November 27, 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

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent November 20, 2024, November 27, 2024)L11872

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT

MCHENRY COUNTY

PUBLICATION NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE (ADULT)

Request of JILL DIANE MEYER

Case No. 2024MR000233

There will be a court hearing on my Request to change my name from: JILL DIANE MEYER

To the new name of: JULIAN AVERY MEYER

The court date will be held on January 13, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at 2200 N. Seminary

Ave. Woodstock, McHenry County in Courtroom 201.

Dated at Woodstock, IL November 18, 2024 /s/ Jill Diane Meyer (Published in The Woodstock Independent November 27, 2024)L11873

PUBLIC NOTICE

WOODSTOCK COMMUNITY UNIT

SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 200

REGARDING PAVING REPAIRS TO THE EXTERIOR RUNNING TRACK AT WOODSTOCK HIGH SCHOOL

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN by the Board of Education of Woodstock Community Unit School District No. 200, McHenry County, Illinois, that a Public Hearing will take place during the regularly scheduled Board of Education meeting on December 10, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., in the Learning Resources Center (Library) on the second floor of Woodstock High School at 501 W. South Street, Woodstock, IL 60098, for the purpose of determining the need to undertake paving repairs at the exterior running track at Woodstock High School at 501 W. South Street, Woodstock, IL 60098, pursuant to Section 17-2.11(e) of the School Code (105 ILCS 5/17-2.11(e)).

At the hearing, the Board of Education will hear testimony from all interested parties, including staff, parents, students and community members.

(Published in The Woodstock Independent November 27, 2024)L11874

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2024PR000302

In the Matter of the Estate of ANN M. REESE Deceased

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of ANN M. REESE Of: CRYSTAL LAKE, IL Letters of office were issued on: 11/13/2024

To Representative: ROBERT YAZEL 31 JOHN ST. CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014 whose attorney is: WAGGONER LAW FIRM 4 N. WALKUP AVE. CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014

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 27, 2024)L11875

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2024PR000302

In the Matter of the Estate of JAMES A. FORBES

Deceased

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of JAMES A. FORBES

Of: CRYSTAL LAKE, IL

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

To Representative: LINDA FORBES

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

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent November 27, 2024)L11875

Sports

Anthony Carney to run in NCAA D-III X-C Championships COLLEGE REPORT

Anthony Carney is one of the privileged.

The University of Dubuque junior, a Marian Central Catholic graduate and a Woodstock resident, will have a chance to compete against the best of the best in mere days.

After his 23rd place finish at the NCAA Division III Midwest Regional, he was deemed worthy by the NCAA and invited to the NCAA Division III CrossCountry Championships, which will be hosted by Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and held at the LaVern Gibson Championship Course in Terre Haute, Indiana.

By the time the newspaper comes out, Carney will have competed in the nationals. It is is first trip to the crosscountry nationals.

FOOTBALL

Liam Mickle (Woodstock) and the rest of the Aurora University football team will begin the first round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs this week. If you are not fortunate enough to travel to Hope College and Holland, Michigan, where the game will take place, there is a way to listen through your computer. Go to athletics.aurora.edu/ sports/football/schedule and follow the prompts. Thus far it is known that a radio station in Holland as well as an ESPN Streaming Service will carry the game live, which will start at 11:00 a.m. Jack Hayden (Marian Central Catholic) recently finished his football season. The Benedictine University

See COLLEGE REPORT, Page 27

Woodstock North basketball standout Devynn Schulze looks on as her dad and coach, Eric Schulze talks about her at her college signing event at Woodstock North High School.

North’s Devynn Schulze signs to play D-I

Schulze

switches black and teal for the red and white of ISU Redbirds

By Juel Mecklenburg NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Fullfilling a goal she’s had since middle school, Devynn Shulze, a senior at Woodstock North High School, has committed to play Division I volleyball at Illinois State University.

At the age of 10, Schulze started playing volleyball as a fifth-grader. Her father, Eric Schulze, started the club VC United in 2017, when Devynn was eager to learn and become engulfed in the sport.

Moving on to her middle school career, she was a Northwood War Hawk, but played just one of her two seasons due to COVID-19 in her eighth-grade year. As she entered high school Schulze was double rostered as a freshman. However, the back half of the season she was up on varsity, pushing near 50 sets. The rest of her high school career was set. Switching positions over the years, Schulze was an outside, libero, and shifted back to outside her senior year.

Schulze’s high school season came to a close in October after a 0-2 loss

to Prairie Ridge in the IHSA semifinals. Although the game was emotional, Schulze believed that the WNHS volleyball program was what prepared her for her final moments. The culture of the program has allowed her to flourish, but culture comes at a cost.

Her dad, Eric, was her coach for all four years of high school volleyball. She mentioned how it was hard to recognize the switch from “dad” to “coach.” She said in the end, there was no one else she’d rather have than her own father to be a mentor and role model.

The lasting impression Eric left with Devynn was when he said, “In order to be great, you have to be good all the time.”

A dream come true

Schulze knew she wanted to play collegiate volleyball since the age of 14. She had a list she made in eighth grade, that was a step-by-step process of how to get recruited and reach the goal she had set out for herself. The recruiting process took place in the background. With VC United, See SCHULZE, Page 27

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY VICKY LONG

Dan Chamness

The College Report

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY Schulze serves in the regional playoff game against Boylan.

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

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

Mon-Thurs 10-6, Fri. 10-5, Sat 10-4

PICTURE

The McHenry County Historical Society’s Museum, located at 6422 Main St. in Union, is open year-round. Regular museum hours are Tuesday - Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by and enjoy a cozy “Christmas Cafe and Holiday Open House” at the museum on Dec. 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free and attendees can “Warm Up to History” with cocoa, coffee, carolers, and more! Visit mchenrycountyhistory.org for more information.

October 1997, McHenry County Fair Association life members. Front from left: Henry Seibel, Dorothy Kleckner, Jack Hayes, Norma Luedtke, and Stuart Wells. Back: Don Peasley, Leroy Eddy, Everett Hunter, Russell Freeman, and Donna Freeman.

BOWLING BROTHERHOOD

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY

The Woodstock co-op boys bowling team is 24 athletes strong this season. WHS freshman Ryan Rochon, (pictured above), is among the new bowlers getting into the sport this year.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Boys Soccer • Lucas Rubio

Lucas Rubio, a senior at Woodstock High School, has been a captain of the boys soccer team for the past three years. He has played a significant leadership role for the younger players in the program, motivating and guiding them to be successful as the future leaders of Blue Streak soccer. He is a fast, powerful, and passionate player who has made a difference and created opportunities wherever he played on the field. Also, he has been selected as an All Kishwaukee River Conference player three times.

HOOPS HIGHLIGHT

The Woodstock Hoops fifth-grade team won the Wilmot Shootout on Nov. 16, defeating Wilmot, Waterford, and Burlington Wis.

Pictured: Seated in front (L to R) Nolan Brinkman, Andrew Willard, Michael Clarke. 2nd row: Ryan Krysiak, Hudson Nichols-Hogle, Miguel Ortiz, Jace Hanlin, Mason Lenzi, Gage Medley, Casey Azarela, Alex Arneson, Maximilliano Martinez, Jack Moon. Back row: Coaches John Hanlin and Mike Lenzi.

Woodstock Hoops Basketball is a feeder organization for future Woodstock Blue Streak basketball players.

COURTESY PHOTO

COLLEGE

sophomore defensive lineman had 40 tackles, 14 of which were solos. The Woodstock resident had 7.5 tackles for 30 yards of loss, which included 4.5 quarterback sacks for 24 yards of loss. He hurried five quarterback hurries, broke up two passes and forced one fumble.

He was fifth on the team in total tackles, third in tackles for a loss, second in quarterback sacks and second in quarterback hurries. Benedictine is 5-5 overall and 3-5 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference.

Marlon Pomili (Marian Central Catholic), a Marian University kicker, kicked off seven times for 304 yards as Marian defeated the University of St. Francis-Illinois 37-28. He had a total of 304 yards on the kickoffs for an average of 43.0 yards per kickoff. At the time of the contest, USF-Illinois was ranked 24th in the country among

SCHULZE

Continued from Page 24

Schulze would send about 50 emails a week to schools of various sizes, divisions, and conferences. As soon as June 15th of her junior year rolled around, the calls started to come in. In the end, Schulze decided to commit to Illinois State.

She said the players and coaching staff were open and honest about their experiences. Schulze could see how educated the coaching staff was, and how willing they were to share comments about the reality of collegiate athletics.

Schulze will have to adjust to her new home away from home. Distance was a factor for her because

GIRLS BASKETBALL

■ Nov. 18 - Woodstock North (0-1) fell to Grayslake Central (1-0) 63-23.

■ Nov. 19 - Woodstock (0-1) fell to CaryGrove (1-0) 49-17.

■ Nov. 19 - Marian (1-0) defeated Crystal Lake Central (0-1) 45-36.

■ Nov. 21 - Marian (2-0) defeated Johnsburg (1-1) 52-49.

■ Nov. 21 - Woodstock North (0-2) fell to Belvidere (2-0) 66-27.

NAIA teams.

Marian finished the regular season with an 8-2 overall record. They were 4-1 in the Mid-States Football Association-Midwest League. They shared the conference title with USF-Indiana.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Lacey Schaffter (Woodstock North) scored points in the first two Dominican University games. In the seasonopening 80-52 loss to Eureka College, she had two points, two rebounds and two assists in 32 minutes of play. In the 76-45 win over Fontbonne University, she had two points, two rebounds and two assists in 14 minutes of court time. Dominican is 1-1.

In closing, I want to wish everyone in the area a Happy Thanksgiving.

Dan Chamness writes The College Report for The Independent.

she wanted to be able to go home to see her family, and her family wanted to have the capability to come out and watch her play in this new environment.

Lasting Message

Schulze’s shared a message for girls who are considering pursuing their dreams or planning to play collegiate athletics. She said, “Make it tangible. Set goals, but be broad. Have a goal in mind that will challenge you, so if you don’t ‘succeed’ you have already found yourself further than you were before. Learn to change your perspectives on what success is and means to you, and your daily goals will turn into daily habits.”

■ Nov. 22 - Woodstock North (0-3) fell to Jefferson (1-1) 60-47.

IN BRIEF

Woodstock Rec offers winter basketball for grades 1 to 6

The Woodstock Recreation Department announced the 2025 Winter Basketball League lineup, providing young athletes in grades 1 to 6 the opportunity to learn, grow, and compete in a supportive, developmental environment. Designed for both boys and girls, these leagues focus on teaching basketball fundamentals, building confidence, and promoting teamwork in a structured, fun setting.

Girls & Boys 1st- to 4th-grade Girls and boys in grades 1 through 4 will have the chance to learn the basics of basketball, including fundamental skills, rules, and real-game situations. Teams will practice once a week, with games scheduled every Saturday. The league combines 1st- and 2nd-graders, offering games that extend practice with coaches officiating to maintain a supportive learning environment. Grades 3 and 4 will have games officiated by paid referees, ensuring a smooth and exciting experience

NN SCOREBOARD NN

226 in game 3.

■ Nov. 23 - Woodstock (1-1) defeated McHenry (0-3) 53-41.

■ Nov. 23 - Marian (2-1) fell to Cary-Grove (3-0) 63-42.

BOYS CO-OP BOWLING

■ Nov. 18 - Woodstock Co-op (4-0) defeated Harvard 9-0. Woodstock junior Max Haggerty rolled a 634 series. Fellow Woodstock junior Sonny Marsalla rolled a 607 series with a 245 in game two and a

■ Nov. 20 - Woodstock Co-op (5-0) defeated Burlington Central 9-0. Woodstock senior Noah Rodriguez rolled a 615 series. Woodstock junior Max Haggerty rolled a 609 series.

■ Nov. 23 - Woodstock Co-op finished third at the Guilford Invite with a total pinfall of 6,018 pins. Woodstock junior Max Haggerty finished seventh, rolling an 881 series. Woodstock senior Noah Rodriguez finished 21st, rolling an 812 series.

Girls and Boys 5th- to 6th-grade

For 5th and 6th-graders, this league takes fundamentals to the next level. Teams will practice twice a week, with Saturday games officiated by paid referees that introduce scorekeeping and closer attention to fouls and rule violations. The season culminates in an exciting post-season tournament.

League Information

All leagues start on Jan. 6, 2025. The registration fee includes a basketball and a reversible jersey. Families are encouraged to register by Dec. 1, 2024, to take advantage of the discounted rate, as fees will increase after this date.

How to Register

Registration can be completed in person at the Woodstock Recreation Center located at 820 Lake Avenue, Woodstock, or online at woodstockrecreation.com.

For more information, contact the Woodstock Recreation Department at (815) 338-4363 or visit the website.

COURTESY PHOTOS