Woodstock Independent 12/18/24

The Woodstock

The Petrik family gives a new meaning to keeping on “pointe” during the holidays

Housing sparrows with larger broods

Home of the Sparrow building two homes in Woodstock

By Susan W. Murray NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

As groundbreaking ceremonies go, the one held in Woodstock on Dec. 9 was a low-key affair.

Gathered were Matt Kostecki, executive director of Home of the Sparrow;

Bobby Gattone, owner of Integrity Alliance LLC; Kristin Miller, grants manager for Home of the Sparrow; and Brady Coleman, owner of Coleman’s Contractors.

Sunny skies tempered the effect of the breezes that snapped the neon strips of pink, green, and orange

plastic atop the three-foot wooden stakes that marked where two houses will stand next spring.

Funded by a $600,000 grant administered by McHenry County Community Development from the American Rescue Plan Act of the United

SPREADING HOLIDAY CHEER

Test your knowledge with a fun holiday quiz

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

A line of volunteers makes its way through the warehouse next to Walmart on Dec. 10, carefully choosing toys for Christmas Clearing House recipients. Distribution of baskets of food and gifts was completed Saturday morning, Dec 14.

Restrictions zap WNHS solar project

Project to be rebid at reduced capacity after lastminute ComEd delays

By Eileen Millard NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

The solar field project for 10 acres of Woodstock School District 200 land

near Woodstock North High School was put on hold at the Dec. 10 Board of Education meeting. Although the project was approved in April with a bid awarded to Althoff Industries, some late-arriving ComEd restrictions drastically changed the scope and benefits of the project.

The original plan was to spend $4.5 million for a 2,050 kilowatt-hour

system. However, a recent communication from ComEd denied the proposed size of the project because of the limited space available on the electrical grid that services Woodstock North High School.

ComEd rejected the original 2,050kWh system, limiting it to a maximum of 953kWh. The utility company

See SOLAR Page 3

Alice I. Meyer, 91

Alice passed away peacefully at Valley Hi Nursing and Rehab on December 8, 2024. She was born on May 4, 1933, to Gustav and Avilda (Edson) Lundgren in Capron, Ill. She married Robert Meyer on April 9, 1955.

Alice went to work at the drugstore in Hebron, IL when she was 15 and met her husband, Bob, who came in often for coffee. She was a graduate of Hebron High School. She was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hebron. Alice spent her life as a loving wife to Bob and a caring and protective mother to her six children. She loved to embroider and crochet and made afghans for all her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. She was a good cook and baker and spent her summers canning and making the best pickles, jams, and jellies. Visiting with her large family and hosting holidays well into her 80’s was very important to her.

Alice is survived by her children James (Bambi) Meyer, Robert (Suzanne) Meyer, Nancy (Robert) Hoadley, Julie Meyer, David (Debbie) Meyer and Thomas (Laura) Meyer. Grandchildren Robert (Kara) Hoadley, Seth (Lauren) Hoadley, Joshua (Emily) Meyer, Zoe (Brandon) Allsop, August Meyer, Elizabeth Meyer, Alicia Meyer, Max Meyer, Ryan Meyer, Owen Meyer, and Adina

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.

Jahnke.

She is also survived by great-grandchildren Mercy Julia, Ramona, Josefina, Jane, Jack, Kate, Kyah, Jed, Lyla, and Jordan; sisters, Judy (Phil) Ellison and Susan Lundgren; and many nieces and nephews.

Alice was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Meyer; brothers, James, John, and Walfred Lundgren; a sister Janet

IN BRIEF

Shots fired outside Marengo restaurant bring felon new 12-year prison sentence

A convicted felon from DeKalb has been sent back to prison after being found guilty of firing a gun outside a Marengo restaurant during a fight with his wife.

After a two-day bench trial last week, Judge Mark. R. Gerhardt found Rudy Villarreal Jr., 51, of DeKalb, guilty of unlawful use of weapons by a felon and reckless discharge of a firearm, and sentenced him to 12 years in prison. Villarreal is a convicted murderer, according to a news release from the office of McHenry County State’s Attorney Randi Freese.

The charges alleged that on May 27, 2023, Villarreal went to a Marengo restaurant armed with a 9mm semi-automatic handgun. While there,

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

Schmidt; sister-in-law Alberta Hill; and nephew Philip Ellison Jr.

Visitation was held at the Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home 1211 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, IL on Friday, Dec.13, 2024, from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. funeral service.

Interment will be private.

A special thanks to Alice’s Visiting

Angels, Barb, Andrea, Jennie, Mandy, and Chris, who helped Mom so much and made her life so much more enjoyable. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Valley Hi Nursing and Rehabilitation.

For information, call the funeral home at 815-338-1710 or visitslmcfh.com.

he encountered his wife, who had an active order of protection against him. An altercation ensued between Villarreal, his wife, and a woman that Villarreal was with outside the restaurant. That was where Villarreal brandished his firearm and shot it three times over his head and then immediately fled the area. During the bench trial, several eyewitnesses who were interviewed by police at the scene positively identified Villarreal as the shooter. Physical evidence presented included three 9mm fired cartridge cases recovered from the walkway just outside of the restaurant.

The case was prosecuted at trial by Assistant State’s Attorneys Maria Marek and William Bruce.

Special traffic enforcement underway for the holidays

Fifty speeding citations led the activity of the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office during a holiday traffic safety campaign Nov. 22 to Dec. 2 to remind motorists to buckle up and drive sober. The office made more

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

EMS calls for Dec. 5 to 11: 81

Fire runs

Structure fire: 1

Outside rubbish fire: 2

than 125 arrests in the Thanksgiving holiday effort.

A similar enforcement campaign for Christmas and New Year’s Day is underway through Jan. 2,

The “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaigns are conducted by county sheriff’s deputies and other state and local law enforcement agencies across Illinois in an attempt to reduce highway fatalities.

During the Thanksgiving campaign, the Sheriff’s Office also issued, in addition to the speeding tickets:

n 17 other various citations

n 15 seat belt citations

n 13 uninsured motorists

n 11 electronic communication citations

n 3 DUI arrest

n 2 child car seat citations

n 2 no valid driver’s license citations

n 2 suspended registration citations

n 1 suspended/revoked license citation

n 1 transportation of open alcohol citation

Combustible/fire spills & leaks: 2

Elecltrical wiring/equipment problem: 1

Public service assistance: 16

Dispatched and canceled en route: 2

Wrong location, no emergency found: 1

Steam, other gas mistaken for smoke: 1

System or detector malfunction: 3

Unintentional system/detector operation (no fire): 5

Total: 115

Rudy Villarreal Jr.

SOLAR

also indicated that the infrastructure is not yet in place to enable the district to sell excess solar power back to the ComEd grid. The smaller capacity will not be enough to meet all the power needs of the school but is anticipated to still help reduce energy costs.

Change order option floated

Before the meeting, the district worked with Althoff Industries to update the plan to meet the new ComEd specs. Althoff submitted a change order reducing the solar field capacity to 953kWh and reducing the cost to $2.5 million.

Staff documents laid out a plan for rebates and tax credits that would cover the costs for the new reducedcapacity project:

• SMART Inverter Rebate through ComEd: $238,175

• Illinois Shines Incentive, SREC (Solar Renewable Energy Certificates) credits: $1.5 million

• Federal Direct Pay Tax Credit: $740,114

Total estimated rebates and credits: $2,474,807

Credits and rebates would go into effect after the project’s completion.

Board discussion

“When I first read this, I was really surprised,” said board member Bruce Farris. “We should have known how much ComEd would accept. We had all these bidders out there that are bidding for something that is not even attainable. That’s a lot of work to put somebody through.”

“A plan was approved in April, but there were still many engineering details that had to be completed over several months before a plan was submitted to ComEd,” said D-200 Chief Financial Officer Julie Dillon in an email after the meeting. “ComEd doesn’t send requirements to the district. The district submits a plan, ComEd then issues a response … we can’t control the decision of a utility company.”

Board member Jacob Homuth asked, “What’s our bidding rules?”

Dillon said the the district’s attorneys found no issue with the change order option that would require starting the project over again.

“I really would like to see the project come to fruition, but in all fairness … I think it should be rebid,” Farris said.

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO

Work is on hold once again for 10 acres of farmland north of Woodstock North High School to become the site of a solar array to power the building and save money in energy costs over the 20-year life of the system.

“It’s a totally different system.”

“I don’t know that I feel that I have enough information to decide to go forward with the way it is now, at this point,” Homuth said.

Board member John Headley supported sticking with Althoff Industries and approving the change order. “I agree that this is frustrating,” he said.

“But I don’t think we should stop … I don’t want to go back to square one. I think that’s two steps backward. I think

that’s crazy at this point to do that.”

Homuth wondered whether rebidding the project could result in a lower cost. ”I’m not confident that this is the best price for that system … we now are relying on a contractor that we bid on different specifications. How do we know that there’s not another company out there that’s going to say, for this system, we’ll do it for $300,000, $400,000 less? I’ve got to look for the district’s best interests when it comes to money.”

The vote to accept the change order failed 4-3. Headley, board member John Parisi and board president Carl Gilmore voted to approve the change order. Homuth, Farris, and board members Jerry Miceli and Michelle Bidwell voted against the change order.

After the vote, Gilmore asked board members whether they wanted to instruct the staff to rebid the project.

“I’d like to do it immediately,” Farris said. “I know it’s work; I’m sorry. But I truly feel it’s the right thing to do.”

All board members agreed to direct staff to rebid the project based on the new parameters.

Dillon said via email that there is no target date yet as to when the project will be ready for rebid in 2025.

Transient charged in Woodstock stabbing

By Staff Report NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

A 69-year-old transient was arrested last week on charges he critically injured another man by stabbing him in the chest at a local camp for homeless people.

Arthur E. Johnson was charged with two counts of aggravated battery after the victim identified him as the assailant. One count charges him with using a deadly weapon and the other alleges he caused great bodily harm. The victim’s name was not immediately released.

Woodstock Police reported in a news release that they were dispatched at 11:16 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9, to the Shell station at 110 N. Eastwood Drive after a report of a stab wound to the chest. Woodstock Officers met with the victim and offered first aid before the Woodstock Rescue/Fire District arrived and took over to perform life-saving measures.

Police said the victim made statements that it was Johnson who had stabbed him.

HOUSING

Continued from Page 1

States Department of the Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance program, Coleman’s company will build two 1,800-square-foot, two-story, four-bedroom homes that will provide housing for two families who are Home of the Sparrow clients.

Providing healing and hope

Home of the Sparrow was founded in 1987 to reduce homelessness among women, children, families, and individuals. In 2023, the nonprofit provided direct support to nearly 600 clients. On average, 93% of Home of the Sparrow’s clients have been victims of domestic violence, while others experience homelessness after a housing or financial crisis, a death in the family, a medical emergency, or the rising cost of living.

Immediate help is available at a transitional shelter that can house up to 42 people per night. Other clients might live in subsidized housing as they build resources for independent living or occupy affordable housing that matches their income.

Clients enroll in case management, including help with setting financial goals and budgeting, healthy parenting classes, and finding secure employment and

A stabbing victim in Woodstock is taken to an awaiting helicopter before being flown to a Rockford hospital with critical injuries.

WFRD reported the victim suffered a “serious chest laceration, reportedly caused by a knife.” After paramedics determined his condition to be critical, they asked for a medical helicopter.

The patient was taken by ambulance to the helipad at Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital

seeking out continuing education, all with the goal of achieving lasting self-sufficiency.

Housing options

Home of the Sparrow has a 10-year track record of operating the Affordable Housing Program in McHenry County. The mix of units includes apartments, townhomes, and some single-family homes. To this point, one lack has been in housing for larger families, which adding two four-bedroom homes is designed to address.

Because the vast majority of Home of the Sparrow’s clients have experienced domestic violence, the organization does not share the locations of its housing units.

“The goal for us is self-sufficiency,” Kostecki said.

Families and individuals must prequalify every year. The rent that clients are charged does not exceed 30% of monthly income.

“The majority probably stay in the units for two years – max,” Kostecki said.

Having secure housing gives hope back to families who have been through trauma, he said, along with what he called “strive-ability,” the will to face and overcome difficulty.

Getting it all to come together

Gattone, Coleman’s longtime friend

and was then airlifted by Mercyhealth REACT to Javon Bea Hospital-Riverside in Rockford for further treatment.

While police officers were at the scene, they saw the person of interest and immediately detained him, the release said. Because of the reported lifethreatening nature of the injury, police investigators asked for assistance from the McHenry County Major Investigations Assistance Team. When city investigators met with MIAT leaders, it was decided to also ask for the assistance of the ISP Crime Scene Investigations Unit because of the large, outdoor size of the potential crime scene, a camp where homeless people gather. The collaboration of the MIAT investigators, the ISP CSI, and the Woodstock Police Investigations Division expedited the investigation, the release said.

The next day, after conferring with the investigators of MIAT and the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office, Woodstock Police investigators charged Johnson, who was at the McHenry County Adult Correctional Facility to await a court hearing.

and business partner, seeks to put together public/private partnerships that benefit the community through his Integrity Alliance.

The pair owned the lots on which the two homes will be built and first proposed construction of affordable townhomes on the property to Woodstock’s City Council.

The council did not think their proposal was the best use of the land, so Gattone drew on his long history with nonprofits to come up with another idea.

He and Kostecki meet monthly for breakfast, and Kostecki told Gattone that Home of the Sparrow lacked housing options for larger families.

Aware of the grant money that could be available for the project, Gattone asked Kostecki whether Home of the Sparrow would be interested in having homes built. The Home of the Sparrow board agreed to the idea, and then Gattone had a bigger request to make.

“Would you be willing to make a little less money on this project and help out Home of the Sparrow?” he asked Coleman.

“Brady very generously agreed to take it on,” Gattone said.

‘As quickly as we can’

Within 24 hours of the groundbreaking, excavation began. Pouring concrete for the two homes’

Bobby Gattone, Brady Coleman, Matt Kostecki, and Kristin Miller turn the first shovelful of dirt in Woodstock where two new homes will be built for families who are clients of Home of the Sparrow. The local nonprofit supports those experiencing homelessness, often the result of domestic violence.

crawlspaces was the next step, followed by putting up wood framing.

Coleman anticipates that the two vinyl-sided homes with attached garages will be ready by spring.

“We’re going to get this thing wrapped up as quickly as we can,” he said.

PHOTO COURTESY OF WOODSTOCK FIRE/RESCUE DISTRICT

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY

Woodstock, IL • 1987

Opera House makes holidays special in Woodstock

Hasn’t it been great having the Opera House back for the holidays? Whatever would we do without it?

Although some fall shows had to be rescheduled to ensure appropriate sound and lighting are ready, programming resumed in mid-October as finishing touches were being made on the $4.5 million renovation of the 1889 landmark.

Work on the Opera House started with restoration of 47 windows and doors, with restoration, rather than replacement, being key to the project. That’s only fitting for such a historic, iconic structure. We urge you to check it out soon.

In The Independent’s community calendar in last week’s edition, we counted 17 events through late December at the Opera House or adjacent Stage Left Café. Although we’re only a week from Christmas, you have plenty of opportunities in the days ahead to take in an event at our community’s primary entertainment venue.

A “White Christmas” sing-along starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday; “The Nutcracker” ballet will be performed on the new dancer-friendly sprung stage at 7 p.m. Friday, and 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 and 6 p.m. Sunday; and Ed Hall’s Woodstock “Christmas Guitar Night” begins at 7:30 p.m. Monday. Visit woodstockoperahouse.com for ticket information for all shows.

You might want to see whether dancers really do leap higher and land softer on that new stage at the Opera House. New lighting and a new sound system should also add to the audience experience during “The Nutcracker” performances by the

Judith Svalander Dance Theatre for the 32nd year. The fall renovations, delayed from spring, were sufficiently complete ahead of the busy holiday programming at the city-owned venue, though Director Daniel Campbell is quick to note the renovations are still a work in progress. “Patrons may notice some elements that may not be complete,” he cautioned in October. The Community

Room was still being painted the morning before the evening reception in mid-October for perpetually cool teenager Henry “The Fonz” Winkler, who was serenaded by the Opera House audience with “Happy Birthday” that night in observance of his recent 79th birthday.

The not-quite-finished state of the Opera House remains today, as crews push to finish work by the end of the year, a requirement of the nearly $3 million state grant that is funding much of the project. The city is putting up the rest of the funding to get the work done years ahead of what would have been possible without the state grant.

Of course, the Opera House is much more than just a performance venue; it is Woodstock’s de facto community center. It has hosted congressional town halls, City Council meetings when controversial issues draw large crowds, and open houses for such subjects as the city’s new comprehensive plan for development and Metra’s proposal to move a railyard and maintenance facility to Woodstock.

In that vein, the Opera House is showcasing Christmas trees decorated by various organizations, businesses, and churches at a free showing in the new lobby, giving local residents a peek at the renovations. So, take that free Christmas tree walk.

A New Year’s Eve bash, a first for the Opera House, is planned for 8 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 31. What a great way – and place – to ring in the new year. Happy holidays!

Help with difficult holiday feelings: You are not alone

Our culture emphasizes the joys of gatherings, gifts, and celebrations.

However, the holiday season can be quite challenging for many individuals.

Even those who acknowledge finding joy in festive music, decorations, and events may experience a sense of sadness and sorrow that arises in quieter moments of solitude.

If this holiday’s seasonal messages, invitations, and cheerful greetings leave you feeling less than inspired, you are not alone. Studies show that many people experience feelings of stress, loss, depression,

Leonetta Rizzi Guest columnist

anxiety, and anxiousness this time of year. Depending on the reasons why, these feelings may dissipate over time. Know that it is OK to have these feelings.

Avoid social media and Hallmark holiday visions when you are experiencing these feelings. It is important that you take care of yourself during this time, including the basics: regular sleep, meals and exercise. Focus your attention

on those family and friends with whom you are most comfortable and enjoy. If there has been a loss, acknowledge it instead of keeping it to yourself.

Allow others to support you during these difficult times. Find something in the future to look forward to and put your thoughts toward that. For some, a good way to cope is to volunteer and give back to the

Continued on Next page

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI

The Opera House has operated for a couple of months in an unfinished state, such as for this reception for Henry Winkler in October.

Words matter, and can be a gift

Are you wondering how to make a difference this season?

What if I told you that there was a way to impact untold numbers of people – and it didn’t cost a thing?

We all have had moments when we feel defeated and someone affirms that negativity. It doesn’t feel good. In fact, we might give up on something we were so close to achieving.

I’m hoping that we’ve all enjoyed more moments of positive affirmation – where, in difficult moments, someone speaks life into us, and we flourish because of it.

Last month, when Henry Winkler came to the Woodstock Opera House, he spoke about the pain caused by his parents who did not speak life into him. He sought their approval and support but never received it. When he addressed the audience, he shared the importance of supporting your children and being their biggest cheerleader. That message resonates for me in

Continued from Previous page

community.

Remember, if you are in therapy, continue to participate. Formulate strategies that suit you during holiday challenges. While the struggle can feel isolating, you are far from alone.

At any time, you can consult with a professional, especially if these feelings are interfering with your daily life. There is hope and help available to everyone in McHenry County via faith communities, specific Blue Holiday events, peer support, and professional counseling services.

The McHenry County Mental Health Board supports resources to assist individuals and families during the holidays and beyond when difficulties overshadow and interfere with our well-being. Visit our website mc708.org. Explore the Resource Directory for a comprehensive listing of agencies to

I NDEPENDENT

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting

so many areas. We spend a large amount of time complaining about projects that take too long, renovations that remain unfinished, packages that take too long to receive, lines that are too long, stores that are too crowded, children who are too exhausting, laundry piles that have grown like Mount Everest.

project completed, a new haircut, or an act of kindness. I find myself smiling more. I feel more enthusiastic. I want to do better.

Despite the stress of the season, I hope we make a concerted effort to make time for others – that we sincerely make time to notice the good in others, that we smile more, that we praise more often, and that we encourage more readily. I know what it is like when someone notices a job well-done, a

address the many aspects of mental health, substance use disorders, and intellectual developmental disabilities.

Many support services are available for you and your family: counseling centers, mental health evaluations, treatment programs for substance use, trauma, seniors in need, and more.

For example, NAMI McHenry County offers support group meetings and workshops at no cost to participants experiencing mental health and substance use disorders.

The MCHELP app is available 24/7 for voice or text. Download it to your smartphone from our website or your App Store. Use the app to access mental health professionals for a live connection when experiencing everyday anxiety, depression or stress. You can use the app as often as necessary. It is free to download and completely free to use.

the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble,

But I also know when someone says something without really meaning it. So, we must be authentic with our words of affirmation. We must believe what we say. It must come from the heart.

While our lives seem to be full of unending busy-ness, let us be generous with our words.

We will never regret genuine words of affirmation spoken in kindness, for, with those words, we give courage and life to others who go out and speak life into family, friends, and strangers alike… and the impact of our affirmation increases a hundredfold.

Be kind. Seek out the best in others. Give the gift of affirmation.

Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer for The Woodstock Independent.

If you or a loved one experiences a crisis, access the 988 Crisis Line for immediate help from a mental health professional trained in crisis and suicide intervention.

Share the MCHELP app and 988 Crisis Line with your friends and family for their use during the holidays, and every day of the year. Every person in McHenry County can utilize the MCHELP app and 988 Crisis Line to help themselves or others.

Your knowledge may be the lifeline someone will value. And, you may find your holiday happiness in helping others.

McHenry County Mental Health Board wishes you good mental health in the holidays and all through the New Year!

Leonetta Rizzi is executive director of the McHenry County Mental Health Board.

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Corrections

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

Staff

PUBLISHER EMERITA Cheryl Wormley c wormley@thewoodstockindependent com

PUBLISHER Rebecca McDaniel rebecca@thewoodstockindependent com

EDITOR Larry Lough larry@thewoodstockindependent com

ADVERTISING Jill Flores jill@thewoodstockindependent com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sandy Kucharski sandy@thewoodstockindependent.com

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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and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

Schools

‘Learning about their community’

Through a nonprofit program called Newspapers in Education, The Woodstock Independent provides free print copies of the newspaper each week to District 200 schools upon request. Dean Street third-grade teacher Kecia Griffin incorporates TWI into the curriculum for her class. A recent assignment was to write a summary of an article in the paper and share it with the rest of the class.

In an email, Griffin said, “The students really took away so much new knowledge, and enjoyed learning about their community.”

COURTESY PHOTOS

11 Marian students named Illinois State Scholars

Marian Central Catholic High School Curriculum Director Debra Cunico announced that 11 students from the Marian graduating class of 2025 have been designated as Illinois State Scholars.

Each year, the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, the state’s college access and financial aid agency, recognizes Illinois high school students for their academic achievement.

To be named an Illinois State Scholar, an honor introduced in 1958, students must rank in the top half of their graduating class and score at or above the 95th percentile on either the ACT or SAT.

“This is a clear example of how the level of rigor the faculty provides in our classes, the perseverance and commitment of our students and their families, and the focus that our school has on the whole student, together encourage

and support the achievements of all students at Marian Central,” Cunico said. “I know I speak for the entire staff when I state how proud we are of these students. They are on their way to paving a bright future.”

The following Marian students were named 2024-25 Illinois State Scholars:

Henry Bonnett

Meredith Bucci

Abigail Convey

Olivia Donevski

Mia Knapp

Thomas Kumm

Abigail Miner

Isabella Pontarelli

Sophia Preussner

Kaitlyn Remke

Vance Williams

D-200 board recognitions

By Eileen Millard DISTRICT 200

In addition to the discussion regarding the ComEd restrictions that have sidelined the solar farm project at Woodstock North High School, the Dec. 10 District 200 School Board meeting included giving a nod to some deserving students and staff.

Sports recognition

The Woodstock High School boys cross-country team was recognized at the meeting for winning the Kishwaukee River Conference championship for the sixth year in a row. The top five runners received All-Conference honors.

The team finished third in the Regional and sixth in the Sectional to qualify for the State meet for the fourth consecutive year, tying the longest streak in school history.

At State, Ellery Shutt finished ninth and earned All-State honors. Congratulations also went to head coach Jay Fuller, assistant coach Sarah Bellavia, and to the team, which was 21st: Adam Bailey, Andrew Cain; Emmit Graham; Elijah Hedges (All-Conference Honors); William Kashmier; Milo

McLeer (All-Conference Honors); Joshua Roth (All-Conference Honors); Ellery Shutt (9th Place Medalist / AllState); Jason Trojan (All-Conference Honors).

Staff Spotlight: Creekside Middle School

Throughout the year, school principals identify one certified and one classified staff member to be honored for exceptional effort in their jobs.

Creekside Middle School instructional coach Courtney Heeren and associate Phil Kline were recognized for their outstanding efforts on behalf of their students.

Dual-language program observing 20th anniversary

Keely Krueger, assistant superintendent for early childhood and elementary education, made a presentation to update the board on the dual-language program, celebrating its 20th year this year.

The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, in the Woodstock High School Learning Resource Center.

MCC student reporters honored in competition

McHenry County College student

Ben Chapman of Woodstock won second place in feature writing for a story about a local business, The Records Department.

He was one of two writers for the MCC monthly student newspaper, The Tartan, who recently received awards of excellence at the annual conference of the Illinois Community College Journalism Association.

COLLEGE CURRENTS IN BRIEF

Zoe Emerson of Lake in the Hills won second place in the Reporter of the Year competition; second place in News Story of the Year for an article about autism; and second in Sports Features for a story about the Scots’ volleyball team.

Northern Illinois University announces August grads

More than 587 students received their bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from Northern Illinois University in August. Included among the graduates was:

Tyler Salcedo, Wonder Lake, Bachelor of Science, fashion merchandising. Woodstock graduates included:

Bridget Belcastro, educational specialist, educational administration; Brooke Harvey, Bachelor of Science, nursing;

Winnie Kamukama, Master of Science, family nurse practitioner.

Hannah Paulson graduates from St. Olaf College

St. Olaf College, Northfield, Minn., recently announced spring graduates. Hannah Paulson, Woodstock, earned a B.M., music education.

MCC offers ESL classes to Amazon employees

The Amazon Fulfillment Center in Huntley and McHenry County College have launched a partnership that brings English as a Second Language (ESL) classes to the Huntley warehouse.

“We were very excited about this potential collaboration, and Amazon was very eager to get this opportunity up and running.” said Natalie Dominguez, coordinator of Adult Education Curriculum and Instruction at MCC. of administration, and we were able to successfully offer two courses this fall semester.”

COURTESY PHOTO

Eight Marian students stand with their certificates that designate them as Illinois State Scholars. They are (front row, from left) Abigail Convey, Sophia Preussner, Meredith Bucci, and Abigail Miner. (Back row, from left) Olivia Donevski, Thomas Kumm, Kaitlyn Remke, and Isabella Pontarelli.

Not pictured: Henry Bonnet, Mia Knapp, and Vance Williams.

A & E When the family core is also the corps of ballet

The Petrik family lives ‘The Nutcracker’ during holiday season

By Tricia Carzoli NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

The holidays are usually associated with a full schedule of school, work, shopping, parties, family gatherings, and special events.

For the Petriks of Woodstock, having four members of their family involved in the Judith Svalander Ballet Theatre production of “The Nutcracker” at the Woodstock Opera House means an extra-full schedule.

“We began rehearsing in October,” mom Jalina said, “and our family schedule does change when ‘Nutcracker’ rehearsals begin.”

While Jalina is not a dancer, she is a seamstress.

“I have learned quite a bit from my time here working on costumes,” she said. “I really enjoy it.”

Jalina helps with fittings, repairs, and alterations, in addition to managing dressing rooms backstage and helping dancers get in and out of

While she spends hours hidden from the hub of activity wielding her thread and needle to work her magic on costumes, three of her children dance for multi-hour rehearsals – particularly as they edge ever closer to performance dates.

“Our life looks a lot different than some of our friends,” she said. “We spend quite a bit of time in Crystal Lake – especially on the weekends.”

On the other side of the curtain

During the school year, Kayden, 14, Lenali, 11, and Imri, 7, take classes at the Judith Svalander Ballet Studio on multiple days during the week. Kayden’s schedule is the most demanding, with classes throughout the week, including several days on which he takes multiple classes.

“I really love taking classes here,” he said. “I’ve

See NUTCRACKER Page 12

The Petrik family spends a lot of time at the studio.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Three Petrik children rehearse for the Judith Svalander Ballet Theatre production of “The Nutcracker” at the Woodstock Opera House: Imri, 7, and Lenali, 11 pose, while brother Kayden, 14, leaps.

D-200 Musicians of the Month

Johanna Bergstrom

Olson Elementary School, 5th Grade

What music activities are you involved in at school and what instruments do you play? I am in orchestra and chorus at Olson and I play violin and piano.

What got you interested in music?

I’ve liked music since I was little and I was interested in playing instruments myself.

What is your favorite part of participating in orchestra?

My favorite part of participating in orchestra is playing new songs and learning new things.

What is your favorite song or who is your favorite musical artist ?

My favorite musical artist is Taylor Swift.

Miguel MJ Ortiz

Olson Elementary School, 5th Grade

What music activities are you involved in at school and what instruments do you play? I am part of the band program at Olson and I play the alto sax.

What got you interested in music?

I have always loved listening to music because it relaxes me and it makes my day. Playing the sax was a great way of being part of music.

What is your favorite part of participating in band?

It’s genuinely fun. I have great friends in the program.

What is your favorite song or who is your favorite musical artist ?

“Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi, and “Lighters” because it has Bruno Mars and Eminem who are two of my favorite singers.

Nolan Paulson

Olson Elementary School, 5th

What music activities are you involved in at school and what instruments do you play?

I am involved in chorus at school but also like to be in plays.

What got you interested in music?

I have always liked to sing.

What is your favorite part of participating in chorus?

I like to try out the different instruments in music class. In chorus, I like to learn the meanings of all the different songs we get to sing.

What is your favorite song or who is your favorite musical artist ?

My favorite artist right now is Livingston.

Sophie Mazurk

Olson Elementary School, 5th

What music activities are you involved in at school and what instruments do you play? I am in chorus, and I play the violin and the flute. I also take private voice lessons

What got you interested in music?

I have always loved music ever since I was really little. My mom said I have been singing even before I could fully talk.

What is your favorite part of participating in orchestra?

I love the way music sounds and creating it with my friends/ teachers.

What is your favorite song or who is your favorite musical artist ?

My favorite song is “Dancing Queen” from “Momma Mia.”

NUTCRACKER

Continued from Page 11

been dancing for seven years, and I love that this is a community. Everyone really tries to help one another, and they are kind to one another.”

Kayden will be playing the role of the Toy Soldier this year and also will be in the Christmas Fairy Court and the Russian Corps. This is his sixth year performing in “The Nutcracker.”

“Toy Soldier has been the most fun [role I’ve played],” he said, “but Christmas Fairy Court is more technically challenging, so it’s a tie. I also really enjoyed dancing Fritz for so many years because it helped me refine my acting skills - and it’s fun to be the mischievous one.”

Kayden enjoys all aspects of dance, but performing is something he looks forward to every year.

“I love it,” he said. “Performing is really something I enjoy – performing for an audience is special.”

Those performances don’t come without a large effort.

Lenali has danced for seven years and will play a party cousin in the opening scene, a soldier, and a Chinese princess, while her sister Imri will play a party cousin and a rosebud.

For Lenali, dance – particularly with the JSSB – fulfills her desire for order.

“I love the structure of the classes,” she explained. “I like that I know that in every class we practice the same things.”

Imri enjoys being with her siblings and aspires to one day play the miniature marzipan.

Kayden noted that it is the community of dancers and the support he receives that keep him coming.

“It is a very professional studio,” he continued. “We are not in a competition – we know that teamwork is important.”

That teamwork is necessary to put on a large and long-running production like ‘The Nutcracker.” But the teamwork is necessary at home as well.

Meanwhile, on the home front

With other children at home, Jalina has to make arrangements to ensure her children are in Crystal Lake when necessary and that there is dinner on the table or lunches

on costumes during a several-hours long rehearsal on a Saturday evening just before the JSBT Nutcracker performance weekend at The Woodstock Opera House.

and snacks ready for those who spend several hours at the studio throughout the rehearsals or at the Opera House over the performance weekends.

“My husband, Matt, is amazing,” she said. “[He] keeps us all well-fed and helps us get out the door on time.”

Matt juggles Boy Scouts of America leadership duties, looking after the couple’s two-year-old, and helping Jalina keep schedules together.

“Kayden sometimes takes the train from the Woodstock station to the Crystal Lake station,” Jalina said. “It allows me to bring Lenali and Imri to the studio later.”

Juggling everything takes effort

“I’m routinely using my instant pot,” Jalina said. “I really have to plan for snacks that are light and healthy but that will carry them through the lengthy rehearsals.”

She fills snack containers with protein bars, cheese, crackers, and Greek yogurt to keep her dancers energized.

Since “The Nutcracker” performances cover two weekends, the Petrik family utilizes Thanksgiving break and Christmas break to enjoy family Christmas traditions.

And while everyone else is making plans to sit in the audience to watch “The Nutcracker,” the Petriks embrace the opportunity to live it.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Jalina Petrik works

Business Building onto a strong backbone

New rental units in former Goins Chiropractic fill need for affordable housing

By Susan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Built in 1952, the former Goins Chiropractic office with an attached home at 1140 Dean St. had been so well designed for its original purpose that it confounded potential buyers.

“No one really knew what to do with it,” said Brady Coleman, the contractor who finally purchased the building.

The 5,000-square-foot building had 3,000 square feet of office space connected to a three-bedroom home and an attached two-car garage with a one-bedroom in-law apartment above.

For a doctor who wanted a short walk to the office, the set-up was perfect.

Now, after a year of construction, the office wing has been transformed into four one-bedroom apartments, three of which are rented. After some renovation on the three-bedroom home and the in-law apartment, those two units are also rentals.

The best use of space

Coleman sits on the board of New Directions Addiction Recovery Services and thought the building might

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW

Brady Coleman stands in the kitchen of one of the apartments he constructed in the former Goins Chiropractic at 1140 Dean St. The white cabinets, gas stove, and laminate countertops are standard in the rental units.

serve the nonprofit well as office space and sober living units, but New Directions deemed the project too large for its purposes.

Two years ago, Coleman took on the project for himself. He began by updating the three-bedroom home and in-law apartment while

Happy Holidays

he waited for the Woodstock City Council to award a special use permit.

When the concept had gone before the Plan Commission, several neighbors spoke in opposition to having multi-family housing on the site. After the Plan Commission approved the project in a 4 - 0 vote, 28 neighbors signed a petition opposing the project.

At the council meeting on March 23, 2023, only one neighbor showed up to object. After an hour’s discussion, the council voted 5 - 2 to approve the special use permit, allowing six units, with four as new efficiency apartments.

In a variation on mending fences with his neighbors, Coleman put up a wooden fence around the one-acre property, at the neighbors’ request. And as he and his crews painted the building’s exterior, installed Hardie Board siding and created the brandnew apartments, the neighborhood sentiment changed.

“Everybody was very welcoming after they saw what we had done,” Coleman said.

‘Built very soundly’

Although the building is over 70 years old, “it was built very soundly,”

APARTMENTS, Page 15

ROUSEY

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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

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

APARTMENT

Coleman said.

The solid backbone allowed Coleman to complete construction with few headaches.

The Goins family provided Coleman with a copy of the original plans and told him about the property’s history.

Evie Goins, Dr. Rick Goins’ widow, said that a woman chiropractor built the house, garage, and first offices. Rick’s dad, Dr. Robert Goins, bought the building in the early 1970s and added two offices; his son Rick later joined the practice. Robert Goins and his wife, Lois, lived in the home, and Lois remained there after her husband’s death in 2002 until she passed away in 2018 at the age of 93.

Filling a need

In order to comply with code, the utilities had to be demoed and replaced, the structure reinsulated, and updates made throughout.

The apartments range from 600 to 700 square feet and include a living area, kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom with a combination tub and shower. Each unit has its own washer and dryer. A patio door leads to the spacious shared yard where a pergola will provide shade next summer.

“The landscaping will be beautiful in the spring,” Coleman promised. Fourteen parking spaces amply

accommodate the six units.

With rents ranging from $1000 to $1200 a month, each was leased almost immediately. The advertisement for the first unit quickly attracted 50 applications.

“Given the demand for this building,” Coleman said, “the need for rental units must not be being met, or units are not affordable.”

“Anybody involved in real estate in Woodstock will tell you the same thing,” said Gay Szara, sales associate with Berkshire Hathaway Starck Real Estate. “There is very little for

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office Nov. 18 to 26 .

■ Residence at 212 Fair St., Woodstock, was sold by Jaylyn LLC, Huntley, to Rasa Realty LLC, Woodstock, for $300,000.

■ Residence at 786 Regina Court, Woodstock, was sold by Mark S. Saladin, Fargo, N.D., to Denise Kaczmarek, Woodstock, for $206,000.

■ Residence at 12301 Ware Road, Woodstock, was sold by Brian T. Andersen, Gallatin, Tenn., to Andrew John Fejedelem, Woodstock, for $387,000.

■ Residence at 1596 Hickory Road, Woodstock, was sold by the Linda R, Haney Revocable Living Trust, Woodstock, to Lauren E. Jatich, Woodstock, for $170,000.

■ Residence at 14917 Perkins Road,

Woodstock, was sold by Mearl Halsall as Executor of the last will and testament of John A. Kiser Jr., Woodstock, to Elizabeth A. Steffens, Woodstock, for $395,000.

■ Vacant land, approximately 40 acres, near the corner of Bull Valley and Valley Hill roads, Bull Valley, was sold by Chicago Title Land Trust Company, Lake Forest, to Timothy R. O’Brien, Redmond, Wash., for $730,000.

■ Residence at 1015 Tappan St., Woodstock, was sold by Artistic Artistry Inc., Crystal Lake, to Vincent Nabor, Woodstock, for $175,000.

■ Residence at 1126 Jewett St., Woodstock, was sold by Jena Lyn Marie Pilman, Berkley, Mich., to Wendy Hernandez, Woodstock, for $245,000.

■ Residence at 323 Stewart Ave., Woodstock, was sold by Jeff W. Aldrich,

to Woodstock residents. Ralph Coleman, Brady’s grandfather, opened the Lily Pond Inn along U.S. 14 east of Woodstock in 1953. Brady’s uncle Barry successfully ran Colemans Tavern in Woodstock before closing it in January 2020 after 20 years in business. Brady’s dad, Brett, operated bars and restaurants in the northwest suburbs, along with building and operating a Holiday Inn on Randall Road in Algonquin.

While Brady grew up in the restaurant business, he found that he really liked working with his hands. His first experience in construction projects was with his dad as Brett built several restaurants and the hotel.

Brady worked as the general manager for a construction company before founding Coleman’s Contractors five or six years ago, making him the third generation business owner in his family.

rent for those who don’t have $2000 a month to spend. Anything under $1300 to $1500 a month is almost impossible to find.”

When fire destroyed an apartment building on St. John’s Road, on Nov. 12, Szara said, people living in 23 units were without a home. The displaced tenants were going up into Wisconsin looking for affordable rentals or staying with relatives or friends, she noted.

Third-generation business owner

The Coleman name is very familiar

Orfordville, Wis., to Jose Humberto Ortiz, Woodstock, for $225,000.

■ Residence at 522 Dean St., Woodstock, was sold by B & R Capital Investments LLC, Wasco, to Ingrid Wright, Woodstock, for $372,245.

■ Residence at 104 Terry Court, Woodstock, was sold by Dawn M. Mahaffy as executor of the last will and testament of John J. Judson, Lakewood, to Bradley Robert Judson, Woodstock, for $207,000.

■ Residence at 2800 Brahms Lane, Woodstock, was sold by DB MIM I LLC, Chicago, to Zachary M. Maxwell, Woodstock, for $250,000.

■ Commercial building at 601 S. Eastwood Drive, Woodstock, was sold by ARC BKMST41001 LLC, Newport, R.I. to 601 Eastwood LLC, Creve Coeur, Mo. for $1,250,000.

He employs an office manager, a customer relations manager, and foremen for his construction crews in roofing, siding, and gutters that are his firm’s bread-and-butter projects. When he has a bigger project underway, he works with larger teams.

When asked if he would like to take on similar projects, Coleman quickly replied, “Of course!”

Editor’s note: Brady Coleman’s company, Coleman’s Contractors, is building two houses for Home of the Sparrow in Woodstock. See story, page 1.

■ Residence at 1705 Halma Lane, Woodstock, was sold by James P. Humphrey, Genoa City, Wis., to Charles Almburg, Woodstock, for $345,000.

■ Residence at 1218 Wheeler St., Woodstock, was sold by Nathan Hoffmann, Harvard, to Alejandrina Leon Aguilar, Woodstock, for $250,000

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY

A patio door from the bedroom leads to the shared back yard.

Community Troop 159 traces history to the beginning of Scouting

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Just one year after the founding of the Boy Scouts of America, Woodstock’s First Presbyterian Church established Troop 159. With a history that goes back to 1911, the troop is one of the oldest in the United States.

Commission Chairman and church member Ray Thuma provided a photocopy of the May 18, 1911 edition of the Woodstock Sentinel that waxed eloquent about the new Boy Scout troop.

Under the headline, “Boy Scout Plan May Solve Boy Problem in the City,” the Sentinel proclaimed, “The ‘Boy Scout’ movement has reached Woodstock. The organization was effected the forepart of this month and much enthusiasm is exhibited among the boys over the movement which has become so popular and grown to such proportions in our country in so short a time.”

The Sentinel went on to emphasize the excitement that accompanied the announcement:

“Friday May 9, 1911, the national Council of Boy Scouts of America granted a Scoutmaster’s certificate to Woodstock, Illinois. The boys, active and wide-awake as our boys are, received the news with joy.”

Reading further, the “boy problem” in 1911 seems related to a concern that boys had lost touch with their natural surroundings.

“Every American boy a hundred years ago lived on either a farm or in close touch with farm life…He had all the practical knowledge that comes from country surroundings. That is, he could ride, shoot, skate, run, swim; he was handy with tools; he knew the woods; he was physically strong.”

Scouts today

The current Scouts in Troop 159 enjoy similar experiences. In addition, they are involved in their church and community.

Troop 159 decorated a tree for the Christmas tree walk at the Opera House that featured orna ments commemorating the Scouts’ activities.

Scoutmaster Matt Petrik reports that troop mem bers are training to complete the 26-mile hike on the Lake Geneva Shore Path and preparing for a multi-day bike touring trip. The month of Novem ber included winter camping, featuring a Dutch oven cooking demonstration on the church’s fire

COURTESY PHOTO

Scoutmaster Matt Petrick (on the right) demonstrates Dutch oven cooking while (left to right) Assistant Scoutmaster Michael Smyk and Scouts Logan S., Harrison K., Nathan P., and Ben C. observe.

IN BRIEF

A New Year’s resolution: help to preserve oak trees

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County invites members of the public to an Oak Rescue at Boloria Meadows Nature Preserve, 7219 Millburne Court in Bull Valley from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31.

An oak rescue is an event in which a group of people work to clear the brush that surrounds an old oak tree, according to a news release. Volunteers are needed to cut the brush with saws and loppers, while others stack the cut brush into piles for burning. The result is that the oak trees are left in much better condition, with room to grow and space cleared for their acorns to grow into more oak trees.

The oak rescue is an opportunity for people to spend a few hours outdoors and start the New Year with a fresh perspective, the release said. A free lunch of brats, hot dogs, and a vegetarian option will be served afterward. Participants are encouraged to register at conservemc.org/new-years-eve-oakrescue-dec-31, but last-minute attendees are welcome.

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County is a member-based private nonprofit dedicated to preserving natural, scenic, and agricultural land.

Get those S’mores cookies before they’re gone

Fans of the Girl Scout S’mores cookie flavor had better stock up during the cookie sales that kick off next month.

At the close of the 2025 cookie season, the S’mores cookie flavor will be retired, according to a news release from the Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois.

Following the theme of Embrace Possibilities, local Girl Scouts will kick-off the 2025 Girl Scout Cookie Program on Friday, Jan. 3. Scouts will take cookie orders in person and offer online opportunities through their digital sites for customers to order cookies for shipping, in-person Girl Scout delivery, and donations to the military and community organizations.

The 2025 Girl Scout Cookie lineup includes Thin Mints® (vegan!), caramel-y Samoas®, peanut butter-stuffed Tagalongs®, Do-si-dos®, Trefoils®, S’mores®, toffee-chipped Toffee-tastics® (gluten free), and the caramel-andbrownie-inspired Adventurefuls™. Cookies are all $6 a package.

Connect with local cookie entrepreneurs at girlscoutsni.org/buycookies.

What we need right now: A Qwazy Qwistmas Quotes Quiz

When you gather with friends and family this holiday season, you might find it tough to come up with topics of discussion that everyone can agree on. The joy, excitement, and beauty of the Lighting of the Square last month is probably a safe subject, although I’ve even seen social media posts complaining about the Santa Hut being in the southeast corner of the Square instead

1. “Santa Claus has the right idea – visit people only once a year.” Who said it?

A. Billy Crystal B. Joan Rivers

C. Victor Borge D. Abraham Lincoln

2. “The thing about Christmas is that it almost doesn’t matter what mood you’re in or what kind of a year you’ve had – it’s a fresh start.” Who said it?

A. Kamala Harris B. Kelly Clarkson

C. Kenny Rogers D. Kid Rock

3. “Every Christmas Eve, the elves will come and give us a new pair of pajamas.” Who said it?

A. Taylor Swift B. Gary Coleman

C. Sabrina Carpenter D. Reba McEntire

4. “Your children need your presence more than your presents.” Who said it?

A. Fred Rogers B. Jim Henson

C. Carol Burnett D. Jesse Jackson

5. “Adults can take a simple holiday for children and screw it up. What began as a presentation of simple gifts to delight and surprise children around the Christmas tree has culminated in a woman unwrapping six shrimp forks from her dog, who drew her name.” Who said it?

A. Erma Bombeck B. Sarah Silverman

C. Randy Rainbow D. Madonna

6. “Santa Claus wears a red suit, he must be a communist. And a beard and long hair, must be a pacifist. What’s

of being in the Park in the Square like it used to be, others commenting that its current location makes it much more accessible. Others love the Christmas tree in the roundabout at Lake, Madison, and South Streets, but that topic will likely prompt griping about roundabouts in general and the ones yet to come on Rt. 47.

To help you avoid a non-televised family feud in the coming days, I’m reviving a column idea from a few years ago – the Quotes Quiz for Qwistmas! Yes, I’ve created a quiz you can use as a fun family activity. Just give everyone something to write on and have them jot down the letter corresponding to the person

in that pipe that he’s smoking?” Who said it?

A. Bob Dylan B. Bob Hope

C. Arlo Guthrie D. Richard Nixon

7. “Ever wonder what people got Jesus for Christmas? It’s like, ‘Oh great, socks. You know I’m dying for your sins, right? Yeah, but thanks for the socks! They’ll go great with my sandals.” Who said it?

A. Jim Gaffigan B. Robin Williams C. George Carlin D. Donald Trump

8. “Christmas: it’s the only religious holiday that’s also a federal holiday. That way, Christians can go to their services, and everyone else can sit at home and reflect on the true meaning of the separation of church and state.” Who said it?

A. Mike Madigan B. Samantha Bee C. Seth Meyers D. Jon Stewart

9. “Christmas is not just a time for festivity and merry-making. It is more than that. It is a time for the contemplation of eternal things. The Christmas spirit is a spirit of giving and forgiving.” Who said it?

A. J.C. Penney B. Hugh Hefner

C. Bob Barker D. Eleanor Roosevelt

10. “I love Christmas. I receive a lot of wonderful presents I can’t wait to exchange.” Who said it?

A. Henny Youngman B. Rodney Dangerfield C. Johnny Carson D. Betty White

they think said each of these holiday-themed quotes. You might even want to buy a scratch-off ticket or a gift card to award to whoever has the most correct answers. While you’re at it, why not buy extra copies of this week’s Independent to give this quiz to out-of-town friends? Enjoy!

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 24 years with his wife, Diane.

11. “Once again, we come to the holiday season, a deeply religious time that each of us observes, in his own way, by going to the mall of his choice.” Who said it?

A. David Letterman B. Larry David

C. Dave Barry D. David Schwimmer

12. “The best way to celebrate the holidays is with great food and even better company.” Who said it?

A. Julia Child B. Julia Roberts

C. Julia Louis-Dreyfus D. Ina Garten

13. “It’s that special time of year when your whole family gathers together in one place to look at their cellphones.” Who said it?

A. Jimmy Kimmel B. Bill Gates

C. Chris Rock D. Stephen Colbert

14. “I truly believe that if we keep telling the Christmas story, singing the Christmas songs and living the Christmas spirit, we can bring joy and happiness and peace to this world.” Who said it?

A. Barack Obama B. Andy Williams C. Norman Vincent Peale D. Mariah Carey

Happiest of holidays, folks; see you in 2025! But first –the correct answers:

Paul Lockwood A Musing

Photo Detectives, we’re asking you to reach back in your memories this month. The houses in this photo from April 1969 no longer exist. Where were they located? What stands in their place?

If you think you know the answer, please contact our intrepid Photo Detective, Maggie Crane, at MaggieC@woodstockil.info .

We want to set the record straight about our November Photo Detective. We asked you to tell us where the first Presbyterian Church in Woodstock stood. The correct answer was at Jefferson and Church streets.

Reader Ray Kearney mailed our intrepid Photo Detective, Maggie Crane, a 246-page book, “Structures at Jefferson & Church Woodstock in Illinois,” which he compiled in 2023 and published in 2024. Kearney fits our definition of a resident expert! Thank you, Ray!

-Susan W. Murray

Advent & Christmas at First Pres

Student of the Week - Keyra Gonzabay

Keyra Gonzabay, a senior at Woodstock High School, is the daughter of Karent Herrera and Henry Roncal.

The teacher that nominated her said, “She is involved in extracurricular activities such as LUCHA and Spanish Club. Keyra is graduating with 300 credits, does volunteer work in the community and has A’s in her classes.”

Keyra is a part of the Latinos Unidos con Honor Americano Club because she is from Ecuador and it gave her an opportunity to make friends and learn about different cultures. She is in Spanish Club because she does not want to

forget her home language and she can make connections with her teacher and peers.

Keyra volunteered for the dual-language 20th year anniversary event, was a part of the Care4 breast cancer 5K, and helped sell tickets for her French Club fundraiser.

Tracie Muehler Team

815-482-4909

tmuehler starckre com

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENT OF THE WEEK

Martin Adelphia

Creekside Middle School

7th Grade

In festive Christmas attire, Char, Ana, and Sherri make use of a holiday backdrop at SOAR@Dorr’s annual holiday party Dec. 12.

Holiday party sends spirits soaring

Despite frigid temperatures outside, more than 50 adults over age 55 kept the mood merry at SOAR@ Dorr’s annual holiday party Dec. 12. Sponsors CareLink Home Health, St. Croix Hospice, Bickford Home Care, and Cedarhurst Senior Living provided a chicken piccata lunch and music by live music deejay Randy Walker.

Twenty Woodstock merchants, many from the Woodstock Square, gave generous donations to create 40 raffle baskets.

“The holiday party is one of the highlights of the year for our participants,” said Laura Wassinger, director of programming at SOAR@Dorr.

Denise and Phil enjoy coffee after lunch at SOAR@Dorr’s annual holiday party Dec. 12.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Dec. 27, 1958. Wellknown personalities participate in a benefit to raise funds for the Woodstock Children’s Home. Front, from left: Gene Baker, Chicago Cubs second baseman; Archie Moore, heavyweight boxing champion; an unknown talent organizer. Back row: Ernie Banks, Cubs shortstop; Gloria Roe, Hollywood contralto; Stuart Hamblen, Los Angeles songwriter; and Jackie Robinson, Baseball Hall of Fame second baseman.

The McHenry County Historical Society’s Museum, located at 6422 Main St. in Union, will re-open January 6 with expanded hours. The museum will be open Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., and

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY

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

BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE

(A time of comfort and hope for those facing grief, sadness)

First Presbyterian Church 2018 N. Route 47

7 p.m.

19 THURSDAY

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

20 FRIDAY

‘THE NUTCRACKER’

BALLET

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

2 and 6 p.m.

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

WINTER SOLSTICE DANCE

The Center for the Arts 1690 S. Eastwood, Unit A 7 to 9:30 p.m.

$10 donation

JAZZ NIGHT Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

8 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

21 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK INDOOR FARMERS MARKET

All Seasons Orchard

14510 Rt. 176

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

woodstockfarmersmarket.org

‘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)

A VERY MERRY COOK ’N KELLS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

3 and 7:30 p.m.

$15 woodstockoperahouse.com

22 SUNDAY

CHRISTMAS HYMN SING

First Presbyterian Church

2018 N. Route 47 9:30 a.m.

‘THE NUTCRACKER’ BALLET

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

2 and 6 p.m.

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

THE 40TH ANNUAL TRISHMAS CONCERT

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

2 p.m.

$17

woodstockoperahouse.com

CARRIAGE RIDES

Woodstock Square

2018 N. Route 47 2 to 4:30 p.m.

23 MONDAY

ED HALL’S WOODSTOCK

CHRISTMAS GUITAR NIGHT

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

$40 A seating; $35 B seating (including fees) woodstockoperahouse.com

24 TUESDAY

CHRISTMAS EVE

25 WEDNESDAY

CHRISTMAS DAY

26 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

27 FRIDAY

ALL-ORIGINAL OPEN MIC NIGHT

Stage Left Café

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

offsquaremusic.org

28 SATURDAY

DAVE MARTIN

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

$17

woodstockoperahouse.com

29 SUNDAY

CARRIAGE RIDES

Woodstock Square 2018 N. Route 47 2 to 4:30 p.m.

31 SATURDAY

NEW YEAR’S EVE HOUSE PARTY

Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren St. 8 p.m. to midnight

Happenings calendar Resurrection Catholic Church

JANUARY

1 WEDNESDAY

NEW YEAR’S DAY

2 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m. woodstockoperahouse.com

4 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK INDOOR FARMERS MARKET

All Seasons Orchard 14510 Rt. 176

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org

7 TUESDAY

WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL

Council Chambers, City Hall

121 W. Calhoun St.

7 p.m. woodstockil.gov

9 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m. woodstockoperahouse.com

10 FRIDAY

$60 individual tickets, $50 per person sold in pairs, Opera House membership tickets $45, VIP tickets $100 815-338-5300 ticketets@woodstockil.gov

SECOND HAND NEWSFLEETWOOD MAC TRIBUTE

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St. 7:30 p.m. $30

FLASHBACKS

35 years ago – 1989

■ The Woodstock City Council approved spending $15,633 from the city’s fire protection fund toward the construction of a county firefighting tower.

■ The Illinois State Board of Education awarded The Chemical People for the Woodstock Area a $35,000 grant to coordinate a communitywide effort toward drug-free schools in Woodstock School District 200.

30 years ago – 1994

■ Longtime Woodstock High School mathematics teacher and coach RB Thompson filed for a seat on the City Council.

■ The Woodstock School District 200 Board of Education reached consensus on a building option that would include a new high school on Raffel Road, additions to two elementary schools, and moving the early learning center from Westwood School to Northwood Elementary School.

■ The WHS varsity wrestling team took second at the 16-team Harvard Wrestling Tournament. Jim Aberle, 112-pound weight class, Luke Kyle, 145, and Bob Johnson, 152, repeated as champions.

25 years ago – 1999

■ Christmas Clearing House volunteers filled nearly 500 baskets of food for families in need in and around Woodstock.

■ Jim Post’s “The Heart of Christmas” production was celebrating its 10th annual appearance at the Woodstock Opera House.

20 years ago – 2004

■ D-200 Superintendent Ellyn Wrzeski called the WHS results on the Prairie State Assessment Test “a conundrum.” The test showed a 15-percent decrease over one year in the number of 11thgraders meeting state standards in reading and math.

■ Hartland Township officially dedicated the new Rollie Neumaier Bridge, honoring the township’s recently retired supervisor.

15 years ago – 2009

■ Through the community’s Christmas Clearing House, more than 750 volunteers helped pack and distribute food and children’s gifts to 1,270 families in need in Woodstock and Wonder Lake.

■ Faith Lutheran High School administrators and board of directors announced they would be selling the land the school owned off Route 120 near Queen Anne Road. FLHS originally intended to use the property as a location for a $5-million facility that would accommodate 300 students. The FLHS board decided to stay at its location in Crystal Lake.

■ Woodstock VFW Post 5040 announced it would host a free Christmas Eve ham dinner for people in need, homeless, unemployed, or alone.

10 years ago – 2014

■ Years of water damage and exposure to the elements were racking up costs for the city’s Old Courthouse building roofing project. What was expected to cost $775,000 was then over $1 million. The City Council approved the 12th change order for the roof project

Pre-kindergarten students at Westwood Early Learning Center get ready to sing at the school’s annual Christmas program. The students are, from left, front row: Rebecca Cruz, Cesar Carbajal, and Juan Carlos Tapia. Back row: Chance Tucker, Chris Blanchet, Keith Crawford, and Kristin Cosman.

– $91,000 for decorative crown molding installation and repairs to rotten soffit boards.

■ The city of Woodstock was headed back to the drawing board to sweeten incentives it would offer businesses if it won approval of a state program intended to spur economic development. The city’s enterprise zone application was to be submitted with the city of Harvard.

5 years ago – 2019

■ Three D-200 Lego robotics teams qualified for state competition based on their performances in a 16-team middle school tournament hosted by Northwood Middle School. The two teams that advanced from Northwood were Greenhouse Gang and Phish Phriends. Creekside Middle School’s P.A.R.K. team also advanced. “We are so proud of the kids’ creativity and teamwork, which propelled their success,” said coach Gigi Carlson.

■ The Sewing Circle of Grace Lutheran Church completed its quilt work for the year – delivering 10 to area nursing homes. Member Marge Burk reported

the group had given out 123 lap quilts, 46 crocheted lap quilts, 145 small pillows, 296 walker bags, 24 bibs, 72 poly bags, and 24 neck pillows to local nursing home residents, plus 203 quilts for Lutheran World Relief.

■ Cooper Adams, a WHS junior, was named Athlete of the Week. Adams took first in the Ted DeRousse Wrestling Tournament in Antioch, going 10-0. He took third in the Tom DuBois Tournament in Richmond. It was his second year as team captain.

1 year ago – 2023

■ Woodstock had 19 athletes from WHS and WNHS on the first-ever girls wrestling team under new coaches Eric Hunt and Erin Sigrist.

■ Plans for a 320-unit development of detached homes and duplexes on Lucas Road south of Northwestern Hospital Woodstock hit a snag when the city Plan Commission voted 4-2 not to recommend the project, citing density, drainage, and environmental concerns. The final decision would be made by the City Council.

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO BY DON PEASLEY

HARVARD MAIN LINE — Service

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on NOVEMBER 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 STERILEXCELLENCE located at 5002 CASSANDRA CT. RINGWOOD, IL 60072. Owner Name & Address: MICHAEL J. SADOWSKI 5002 CASSANDRA CT. RINGWOOD, IL 60072.

Dated: NOVEMBER 25, 2024

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent December 4, 2024, December 11, 2024, December 18, 2024) L11877

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT MCHENRY COUNTY

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

Request of COLLEEN JENNIFER ANN CINCINNATI

Case No. 2024MR000243

There will be a court hearing on my Request to change my name from: COLLEEN JENNIFER ANN CINCINNATI

To the new name of: COCO JENNIFER ANN CINCINNATI

The court date will be held on January 16, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. at 2200 N. Seminary Ave. Woodstock, McHenry County in Courtroom 201.

Dated at Woodstock, IL November 26, 2024

/s/ Colleen Jennifer Ann Cincinnati (Published in The Woodstock

Independent December 4, 2024, December 11, 2024, December 18, 2024) L11878

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE

Case No. 2024PR000339

In the Matter of the Estate of JOYCE A. PAYNE

Deceased

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of JOYCE A. PAYNE

Of: WOODSTOCK, IL

Letters of office were issued on: 12/3/2024

To Representative: CURTIS L. PAYNE 1721 WALNUT DR. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098 whose attorney is:

KNAPP, PETER G. 244 N. THROOP ST. SUITE 110 WOODSTOCK, IL 60098

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

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent December 11, 2024,

December 18, 2024)L11880

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on DECEMBER 9, 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 BARDZ located at 8610 CENTER COURT FOX RIVER GROVE, IL 60021. Owner Name &

Address: JILL R. ERICKSON 8610 CENTER COURT FOX RIVER GROVE, IL 60021.

Dated: DECEMBER 9, 2024

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent December 18, 2024)L11881

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.

BANANAGRAMS BINGO BRAIN TEASER CHECKERS CHESS COMPUTERS CROSSWORD CRYPTOGRAM

DEXTERITY HIDDEN PICTURE JIGSAW LOGIC MATHEMATICAL MAZE PLAYING CARDS PUZZLE

SUDOKU SUMS TETRIS UNO VIDEO GAMES WORD SEARCH WORDLE

COLLEGE REPORT

Dylan Connell hits the competition trail with Cougar Clash

Dylan Connell, a Marian Central Catholic graduate and University of Illinois wrestler, traveled 160 miles southwest to wrestle at the Cougar Clash, hosted by Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and held at the First Community Arena.

Sports Spotlight

Winter brings snowflakes, Santa, and sports

While enjoying family time during the holidays, athletes and coaches have been preparing to compete during the winter season. Parents and fans can enjoy cheering on these local athletes through a variety of sports.

In the next few editions, The

Woodstock Independent will feature Winter “Spotlight” articles about boys and girls basketball, boys and girls bowling, boys and girls wrestling, boys swimming, and cheerleading and dance. .

Don’t miss a week. Subscribe now!

Co-op boys bowling

10 PINS, 1 GOAL: Woodstock co-op boys bowling

Dan Chamness

The College Report

For the Marengo resident, it was well worth it if you are looking to wrestle. He wrestled six times in one day, posting a record of 3-3. The 184-pound wrestler also earned his first pinfall win of the year at SIUE.

Connell, an Illinois redshirt junior, pinned Bellermine University’s Sam Schroeder in his fourth match of the day, topping him at the 1:56 mark. He also earned wins over another Bellermine grappler, namely Jack Ring, to open the tournament. He topped Ring 5-1. In the third round, then topped University of ArkansasLittle Rock’s Jake Stacy 8-6. He was topped twice by ArkansasLittle Rock’s Branson Britten, once for fifth place. In the second round, he lost to Britten 10-2, which was a major decision victory. In the fifth place match, the redshirt junior lost a 7-0 decision. He was topped by Bellarmine’s Devan Hendricks 2-0.

Elon Rodriguez (Marian Central Catholic) did not have as many matches as Connell, but he did have four matches at the Jim Koch Open, which was hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Parkside. The Wisconsin-Parkside wrestler split four

See COLLEGE REPORT, Page 31

By Jen Nichols NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

PHOTOS BY ANDREW ROUSEY

Will history repeat itself? For Woodstock co-op boys bowling coach Derek Lee, the expectation is to not only repeat sectional accolades, but challenge his team to reach the IHSA state finale.

“We have a deep and experienced squad,” Lee said. “I imagine we will see at least one 300 game this year.”

Lee relies on the experience of his many returning varsity competitors.

The co-op team is stacked with skilled bowlers, knowledge, and experience. Kishwaukee River Conference All-Conference senior Noah Rodriguez (WHS) returns for his fourth year of bowling as a varsity standout.

“He has some unfinished business and is highly motivated to make the IHSA state finals,” said Lee. “This achievement is absolutely within his skill set.”

Rodriguez comes into the season with a 194 average. He isn’t competing alone though.

All-Conference junior Maximilian Haggerty (WHS) begins his junior year with the intention to compete in the IHSA sectional tournament for the

third time.

“His sights are set on a state final appearance,” Lee said.

Haggerty averaged a 192 during his sophomore season.

Other exceptional varsity returners include senior William Reese (WHS), and juniors Sonny Marsalla (WHS) and Levi Perrotta (WNHS). Reese averaged a 180 game his junior year; however, he is recuperating from an injury that occurred during his football season.

“We are looking forward to getting him in the lineup when he is cleared,” said Lee.

Marsalla, returning to compete in his second season of bowling, averaged a 184.

“He has all of the skills and is focused on building consistency,” said Lee.

Battling an ankle injury during his sophomore year, Perrotta had a

delayed start to last season.

“He has a ton of talent,” said Lee. He has the envious combination of ball speed and revolutions that cause major damage to pins.”

Lee is leaning on his experienced returners for leadership and guidance not only for each other, but for the entire crew.

The boys co-op team has 24 athletes on the roster.

“Daily growth in each bowler is our consistent individual target,” said Lee, “which in turn, will get us closer to our overarching team goal: KRC conference championship which will lead us to the IHSA tournament.”

The team has eleven wins earned so far. Lee invites the community to attend a bowling match. Home games are held at Kingston Lanes. The KRC conference tournament will take place Jan. 10.

Senior KRC All-Conference, Noah Rodriguez

All-Conference junior Maximilian Haggerty

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY ANDREW ROUSEY

Marian Central Catholic High School senior Adriana Wrzos reaches over the defense for a shot . The ’Canes defeated Chicago Christian 53-35 on Dec. 9 at home.

Marian senior Adam Wrzos takes the ball to the hoop against undefeated Wheaton Academy Dec. 10. The ’Canes fell to the Warriors 86-53.

JANUARY - APRIL HOURS: SUNDAY, WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY 11AM TO 5 PM FRIDAY 11 AM TO 6 PM & SATURDAY 10 AM TO 6 PM CLOSED MONDAY & TUESDAY

LANE LEADERS READY TO ROLL: Woodstock co-op girls bowling

By Jen Nichols NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY

With the pins stacked and the lanes waxed, the Woodstock girl’s co-op bowling team is ready for competition. Looking to repeat the success from last season, head coach Derek Lee has some expectations and goals in mind.

“We look to be playing our best bowling come February and make some noise in the IHSA state tournament series,” Lee said.

All varsity starters returned from last season, and they have been dominating since Nov. 18.

“As a team, our goal is to repeat as KRC conference champs, but we also hope to win the KRC/FVC conference ‘alliance title,” Lee said.

With individual success from the experienced bowlers, the team is ready to compete at a high level. “With two of the top [returning] bowlers in the conference, our biggest goal is the postseason tournament,” Lee said.

A top performer in the lane, Torin Deacon (WNHS)

Corrine Bures • Dance team

Woodstock High School senior Corrine Bures has been a dedicated member of the dance team for the past two years. Known for her infectious positive attitude, Corrine brings enthusiasm and energy to every practice. Her commitment to improving her skills shines through as she consistently goes the extra mile to perfect routines and support her teammates.

Co-op girls bowling

returns for her senior year. Deacon earned the title as “Bowler of the Year,”outperforming 81 athletes in the KRC conference. In addition, she earned All-Conference honors. Finishing up her junior year, Deacon had a 173 average.

“Her average is well below what she is capable of, and her disappointment will drive her motivation this season,” Lee said.

Deacon is not the only bowler in the 170’s.

Finishing close behind her, teammate and All-Conference honoree Ava Caldwell (WNHS), is looking to jump out to a fast start this season. Caldwell finished last season with a 172 average.

“Last season, she had a slow start due to injury,” Lee said. “With health and motivation, Caldwell is ready to knock down some pins and competition.”

Adding to the list of high

2023

achieving co-op members is another All-Conference honoree, Lizzie Pilman (WHS).

“[Pilman] is a tremendous addition to our team,” said Lee about the sophomore who just began her career in high school bowling.

“She is working hard to repeat this type of success for herself and the team,” he said.

Pilman shared the rookie spotlight with teammate Avery Carpenter (WHS) last season.

“Carpenter is a lefthander with burgeoning potential, and we are excited to see the growth in her second season,” Lee said.

Many more individuals have outstanding stats. Players such as DJ Lebron (WHS) are so much more than a scoresheet.

“Lebron is a glue for the team, Lee said. “She brings people together. She brings excitement to the game with her positive energy.”

With the season underway, key dates to remember are senior night, Jan. 27, vs. Burlington Central, and the KRC/FVC Conference Tournament Jan. 31. All home matches are held at Kingston Lanes, Woodstock.

out whenever needed makes her a great individual and an asset to the team.

Rescued from a cruelty/hoarding case in Florida, Crosby was found missing half of his right testicle and half of his right leg. We will never know what happened, but we do know that he will know only kindness from now on. The rest of his leg was amputated and while he recovered in foster care, he blossomed. He is a quiet guy, finds comfort

Emmy Wiley • Varsity cheer

Sophomore Emmy Wiley is a member of the WHS varsity cheer team. She never fails to spread positivity and support to her teammates in and out of cheer. Her growth in skills and willingness to help

KRC Bowler of the Year, senior Torin Deacon

COLLEGE

Continued from Page 28

matches while wrestling at home. He would win his opening round match, besting McKendree University’s Evan Benitez 8-4. He also topped Findlay University’s Ashton Anderson 5-2 in the third round match.

The 133-pound Ranger grappler would lose to St. Cloud State University’s Sam Spencer 6-1 in the second round and Grand Valley State University’s Jak Kelly 4-3 in the fourth round.

FOOTBALL

Christian Bentancur (Marian Central Catholic) caught a pass for seven yards as he helped Clemson University thump The Citadel 51-14. Thus far this year, the Lakemoor resident, a 6-foot-4, 245-pound freshman tight end has appeared in five games. That was the first catch of his college career.

The former Hurricane and the rest of the Clemson Tigers will be in action on Saturday, Dec. 21 as they play the University of Texas at 3 p.m. If you can’t travel to Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas, the game will be carried live on TBS. If you want to listen to the game on your computer, go to clemsontigers. com and follow the prompts. Clemson enters the game with a 10-3 mark, was 7-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, and enters the game as the 12th-seeded team among NCAA Division I teams. Texas is the third seed in the same poll.

Liam Mickle (Woodstock), an Aurora University football player, had 98 rushing yards on 12 carries this year, which is an average of 8.2 yards per carry. Two of his carries were touchdown totes. He played in three games.

John Herff (Marian Central Catholic) played in five games this year for Loras College. The Wonder Lake resident finished his sophomore season with five assisted tackles. He was also in on a tackle that resulted in one yard of loss and one quarterback hurry. Loras finished 2-8 overall and 2-6 in the American Rivers Conference.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Lacey Schaffer (Woodstock North) scored six points and grabbed two rebounds for Dominican University in their 83-44 loss to Benedictine University. She played 24 minutes.

In Dominican’s 78-52 loss to Marian University-Wisconsin, Schaffer scored six points in 15 minutes of play. Dominican is 1-5 overall and 0-2 in the Northern Collegiate Athletic Conference.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Noah Campbell (Willowbrook) and Wilfred Kamukama (Woodstock) have both logged time for McHenry County College through their first 12 games. MCC is 1-11.

Campbell, a Woodstock resident, has made five starts and appeared in 11 games. The 5-9 freshman guard, who has averaged 27.7 minutes a game, has scored 97 points and pulled down 42 boards. Besides his respective averages of 8.8 points and 3.8 rebounds a game, he also has a teamhigh 33 assists and 12 steals. Campbell has scored his points by hitting 36-of77 from the floor, which includes a 4-of-9 performance from beyond the arc, and 21-of-31 from the free throw line.

Kamukama has played in six games. In his 14-minutes-a-game court time, he has 24 points, 15 rebounds, and three assists. He has scored all of his points from the floor, hitting eight field goals, three of which have been three pointers.

Morgan Tolentino-Slazon (Woodstock) has played sparingly for the McHenry County College women’s team. She has averaged eight minutes a game in nine games. She has six points, 10 rebounds, and four steals. The Lady Scots are 7-3 overall and 1-0 in the Illinois Skyway Conference.

MESSAGE

FROM CHAMNESS

Please e-mail me some winter names. I will reach out to the coaches this week, but if you have a name, especially for the winter months, please email me. The athlete must be a member of an intercollegiate team. In addition, they must be from a town or be a graduate of a high school normally covered in the pages of The Independent. I will need the names of the athletes, the former high school or the town they are from, the college they are attending, and the sport they are playing.

When emailing me at Dan62801@ aol.com, please put “Woodstock Independent” in the subject line of the email.

Dan Chamness writes The College Report for The Independent.

NN SCOREBOARD NN

BOYS BASKETBALL

■ Dec. 10 - Woodstock (2-4) defeated Harvard (1-3) 78-52.

■ Dec. 10 - Marian (1-6) fell to Wheaton Academy (7-0) 86-53.

■ Dec. 13 - Marian (1-7) lost to Christ the King (6-2) 97-32.

■ Dec. 13 - Woodstock (3-4) defeated Marengo (1-6) 61-38.

■ Dec. 14 - Marian (1-8) fell to CaryGrove (6-3) 81-48.

■ Dec. 14 - Woodstock (4-4) defeated Indian Creek (9-2) 61-54.

GIRLS BASKETBALL

■ Dec. 7 - Woodstock (4-4) defeated North Boone (2-4) in a close game 49-46.

■ Dec. 9 - Marian (5-2) beat Chicago Christian (2-7) 53-35.

■ Dec. 11 - Woodstock (5-4) defeated Richmond-Burton (2-5) 60-28.

■ Dec. 11 - Woodstock North (0-7) fell to Johnsburg (5-3) 64-25.

■ Dec. 12 - Marian (5-3) lost to Bishop McNamara (8-1) 47-37.

■ Dec. 14 - Marian (5-4) fell to Marengo (6-3) in a close game 37-36.

■ Dec. 14 - Marian (6-4) defeated Grayslake North (1-12) 60-40.

■ Dec. 14 - Woodstock (5-5) fell to

Belvidere North (2-7) 39-28.

■ Dec. 14 - Woodstock North (1-7) defeated McHenry (1-9) 57-38.

■ Dec. 14 - Woodstock North (1-8) fell to Wauconda (8-1) 58-31.

BOYS CO-OP BOWLING

■ Dec. 9 - Woodstock co-op (9-1) defeated McHenry 9-0. Woodstock senior Noah Rodriguez rolled a personal best series of 717. Woodstock junior Max Haggerty rolled a 279 in game three for a 718 series.

■ Dec. 10 - Woodstock co-op (10-1) beat Harvard 9-0. Woodstock senior Noah Rodriguez shot a 232 in game one. Woodstock junior Max Haggerty rolled a 644 series with a 253 in game three.

GIRLS CO-OP BOWLING

■ Dec. 9 - Woodstock co-op (3-1) defeated Johnsburg 9-0. Woodstock North junior Ava Caldwell shot a 603 series with a 236 in game one. Woodstock junior DJ Lebron rolled a 204 in game three.

■ Dec. 10 - Woodstock co-op (4-1) beat Harvard 9-0. Woodstock North junior Cierra McNamara and North senior Torin Deacon both rolled a 179. Deacon shot a 511 series. Woodstock North junior Ava Caldwell rolled a 495 series.

BOYS SWIMMING

■ Dec. 11 - Woodstock co-op boys hosted a dual meet. District 300 defeated Woodstock 115-35. Cary Grove beat Woodstock 115-35. Landon Beltran finished third in the varsity 100-yard backstroke (108.23).

GIRLS WRESTLING -

■ Dec. 7 – The Woodstock co-op wrestled in a tournament at Larkin High School. Eva Hermansson won the 110pound weight class with two pins and a 6-2 decision in finals. Also scoring: Danica LaTessa, 5th; Allison Hill, 6th.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY ANDREW ROUSEY Marian’s Abbey Minor takes the ball hard to the paint Dec. 9 against Chicago Christian. The Lady ’Canes won 53-35.