Woodstock Independent 12/27/23

The

Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

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

Should businesses register?

City Council revives discussion of program, but lots of details still to be decided

By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Many residents might not care whether Woodstock requires businesses to register with the city, but City Council members say such a system would benefit the public.

Councilman Tom Nierman, who owns a landscaping business, said

YEAR IN REVIEW

The Independent looks back at top business, sports in ’23 PAGES 12, 24

SCHOOLS

registration would be a “service” check to avoid “fly by night” operations coming into town like he sees in his line of work.

“We’re protecting the public and John Q. Public from potential problems,” Nierman said. “Legitimate people are going to register.”

Councilman Darrin Flynn, owner of a downtown salon, agreed.

“Before a business opens, a $40 or $50 fee is not going to prevent them from opening,” he said. “We want to make sure our neighbors are credible. … A lot of people fly under the radar.”

The issue was only a discussion item on the agenda of last week’s council meeting, allowing the city staff to hear thoughts from council members See REGISTRATION, Page 3

YEAR IN P/REVIEW

Second-graders taught best behaviors by Best Buddies

PAGE 9

COMMUNITY

Macyn’s Jars keep kids calm when emergencies happen

PAGE 14

INDEX

Obituaries

4

Opinion

6

Schools

9

A&E

11

Business

12

Community

14

Calendar

18

Service Directory 20 Puzzles

22

Public Notices

23

Sports

24

The Woodstock Independent

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

PHOTO BY WOODSTOCK FIRE/RESCUE DISTRICT

Based on sheer headline value, it would be hard to beat the natural gas explosion at 321 Lincoln Avenue that shook Woodstock the afternoon of Oct. 9, causing major property damage but no serious injuries.

Top local story of 2023: What criteria?

By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Bob Kristensen was working in the office of the Washington Street service station he has owned for 50 years when he heard and felt the blast.

“I thought a car exploded,” he said.

Only after he went to shut off the fuel pumps at his Mobil station did he

realize the explosion was not on his property but a block away, on Lincoln Avenue across from St. Mary Catholic Church.

That natural gas-fueled explosion the afternoon of Oct. 9 destroyed two houses, damaged 18 other homes and buildings, and displaced 22 residents.

Miraculously, no was was killed or even seriously injured.

That kind of story has tremendous “headline value” for newspapers. The blast, subsequent investigation, and effects of the explosion were the lead stories at the top of The Independent for five weeks.

But its lack of long-term impact on the community diminishes its consideration as Woodstock’s Story of the See 2023 Page 2

NEWS

Dec.27-Jan. 2, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

2

2023

develop walkable neighborhoods that connected residents with businesses and services they could access without having to drive.

The city received $250,000 as part of the T-Mobile prize package and has set aside most of more than $4 million in federal pandemic-relief funds to help pay some costs for the development.

Continued from Page 1

Year for 2023.

Old Courthouse Center

Maybe that description better fits the city-owned Old Courthouse Center, which had a soft opening in August, months behind schedule and significantly over budget. Costs approached $23 million – nearly double the $12 million figure the City Council was given in the fall of 2021 for full restoration and renovation of the 19th century Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House and Jail so they could be used for commercial purposes.

That downtown project was a frontpage story in The Independent 11 times during the year – and the subject of several editorials – as the newspaper chronicled the rising costs, repeated delays, and eventual opening at an invitation-only ribbon-cutting ceremony.

What the long-term impact of the project will be is hard to tell. City officials see it as a catalyst for tourism and increased business activity on the Square and beyond for decades to come.

One certain lasting effect will be repayment of the $9 million bond sold as a major part of financing the work.

Payments on that obligation will be paid over the next 20 years from the rent of tenants – as long as the building is full. A business failure could put the city on the hook for meeting the payment schedule.

University Center

If long-term impact is the principal criteria for Story of the Year, some consideration would have to be given to the University Center project of McHenry County College.

MCC’s Board of Trustees in March approved buying the Woodstock Center of Aurora University for $1.4 million to extend programing of the community college to offer bachelor’s and master’s degrees through partnerships with Aurora and four other Illinois universities.

In October MCC contracted with a local company, Doherty Construction, for $3.5 million to transform the former grocery store building at Church and Madison streets – on the edge of the downtown, just a block from the train station – into University Center.

Work is scheduled to be completed so classes can begin in the fall of 2024, an expected immediate benefit to local students and businesses that can take advantage of university programs close to home.

Coming in 2024

Some top news stories in

Detours ahead

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO

Woodstock news in 2024 is sure to include disruptions during rebuilding of Route 47 through Woodstock, from U.S. 14 north to this intersection with Route 120. State officials expect to bid the project in April.

Woodstock are predictable.

Any month now, the City Council is really going to consider a redevelopment agreement with Chicago Hubs Realty for development of the former Die Cast site along Clay Street, north of the train depot.

That item has been on the council’s tentative agendas for months, but it gets pulled before each meeting as the city negotiates privately with CHR over details and timetable for the development.

A year ago the council chose CHR from among three companies that submitted development plans. As described by CHR officials in public meetings of the Plan Commission and City Council, Union Place would involve three phases, the first two

providing senior housing – assisted living, nursing home, and memory care. The third building would include market-rate apartments on upper floors above restaurant/retail.

But Mayor Mike Turner has expressed his desire to compress the schedule rather than spread it over several years. Negotiations, it appears, are ongoing.

Such a development would follow the advice of consultants from Smart Growth America, who came to Woodstock as part of the city’s selection for a Hometown Techover in T-Mobile’s nationwide contest to find a small town where the cellular company could show what it could do in such communities.

The consultants urged the city to

DESIGN WORKSHOP CONCEPT IMAGE

This image by consultants at Design Workshop reimagines what Main Street could be as a corridor linking the Square with the Metra depot.

The study is part of the city's parks master plan being developed.

Of more immediate impact on Woodstock residents will be the state’s $56 million widening and improvement of Route 47 between U.S. 14 and Route 120. This is the first of a twophase project to improve the state highway north to Charles Road, but the second part has not been funded.

Although the state had expected to take bids on the work – including three traffic roundabouts, raised medians, biking/walking trail, improved landscaping and lighting – Christina Betz, the city’s executive director for operations, said contracts now are likely to be awarded in April.

The project is expect to involve about two years of construction.

Before contractors start digging up the road, the city plans to work on temporary signage to help motorists navigate the detours and give customers alternative routes to retail and service business along the highway.

Garrett Anderson, the city’s director of Economic Development, recently presented the City Council with a preliminary Route 47 Expansion Project Action Plan being created by his department and the city’s marketing team. That plan includes support services for businesses along the highway whose operations will be disrupted.

Making plans

On temporary hold is extensive renovation of the historic Opera House, which has a $3.9 million state grant for improvements. The city will put an additional $1.6 million into the project, which includes improvements around the Square.

As the Old Courthouse Center commanded the attention of city officials for most of 2023, that project also diverted attention from other planning for the future.

Consultants have been working to update the city’s 15-year-old comprehensive plan for growth and development and creating a new branding campaign for marketing the city. The latter will include a new city logo, slogan, and website design, among other features.

Also under study is a new citywide arts plan, including an Artspace residential facility where artists can live and work, and a city parks master plan, with ideas to “reimagine” what the Park in the Square could be.

3 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Continued from Page 1

before proposing an ordinance to be considered at a future meeting.

But the question of who must register – Home businesses? Landlords?

Farmers market vendors? – and what fee, if any, to charge was a point of some disagreement. Should there be a penalty for noncompliance? For late filers?

Councilman Bob Seegers Jr. wasn’t keen on the whole idea to begin with, especially for businesses with an office in Woodstock that do their work elsewhere.

“I’d prefer you not know about me so I don’t have to pay a fee,” he said.

“Why should I have to pay a fee for you to know more about me when I’m not doing business here?”

Contact info needed

Danielle Gulli, the city’s executive director of business development, said a practical reason for registration is to have contact numbers for business and building owners in case of an emergency.

Garrett Anderson, director of Economic Development, said the city’s list of contacts is incomplete.

“Who do we call at midnight,” he said, “when there’s a problem [that needs] the police department or fire department?”

Anderson said a complete business directory was also a tool that would benefit the city’s business recruiting efforts, much like the incubator spaces in the newly renovated Old Courthouse Center.

“We want to expand our entrepreneur tools well behind that building,” he said, “to be the entrepreneur center in McHenry County.”

Flynn liked the idea of having an inventory of businesses in town.

“What do we have,” he said, “so Economic Development can say what we need.”

The subject has surfaced as the city prepares to launch a paperless permit process through OpenGov, a cloud software system that would allow digital application of liquor licenses, building permits, and other paperwork.

Once a business was registered, information on file would make applications simpler.

“Now is the right time to do this,” Mayor Mike Turner said of registration, though he expressed concerns about a “slippery slope” of requiring detailed information about businesses.

Food Shed store liquor permit

In other business at the Dec. 19 meeting, the council: n Granted a class B-3 liquor license (major retail/grocery stores) to Food Shed Co-op for its new grocery store being completed a U.S. 14 and Lake Shore Drive on the city’s east side. n Updated the city’s liquor code and regulation of food trucks. Among changes are higher fines for violations and a requirement that license holders have video recording equipment on their premises to increase public safety. n Approved a change in the city ordinance on public parks to give the city manager authority to set annual field usage fees as other programming fees are established. n Reviewed tentative agendas for coming meetings, which includes consideration of a redevelopment agreement for the former Die Cast factory site on Jan. 16. Mayor Turner said the 320-home Riverwoods proposal would probably be delayed until Feb. 6.

NEWS

REGISTRATION

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO BY LARRY LOUGH

A sheriff’s deputy calms her canine partner during a ceremony at the Woodstock City Council meeting, where a $2,540 donation was presented to the Northern Illinois Police K-9 Memorial Foundation. The money was raised through the city’s sixth annual “No-Shave November,” which is coordinated by the Woodstock Police Department.

O

NEWS

Dec.27-Jan. 2, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

4

OBITUARIES

Terry R. ‘TR’ Schwebke, 79 Terry R. “TR” Schwebke, age 79 of Whitewater, Wis., passed away at Tidewell Hospice House in Bradenton, Fla., on Monday, Dec. 18, 2023.

Terry was born on June 16, 1944, in Belvidere, Ill., son of Robert and Rosetta (Spaulding) Schwebke.

He proudly Terry R. “TR” served his country Schwebke from 1965 to 1967 as an MP in the Army stationed in South Korea.

Terry married Marilyn (Shaw), the girl next door, on Feb. 3, 1968. They raised two daughters, Lori and Jodi.

He worked as an agriculture lender for

most of his career. Many weekends were spent coaching, officiating softball and football, camping with his family, golfing, and watching the Chicago Bears and Blackhawks.

After retirement, Terry and Marilyn enjoyed being snowbirds in Palmetto, Fla. They also loved traveling the world and spending time with Florida friends.

Terry is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marilyn; daughters, Lori (Paul) Berna of Woodstock and Jodi (Jeff) Bunge of Dubuque, Iowa; three grandchildren, Matthew, Nathan, and Emily Berna of Woodstock; brothers, David (Merle) Schwebke of Sun City West, Ariz., and Andy (Liza) Rose of Harvard, Ill.; a sister, Merry (Peter) Lockinger of Woodstock; and many nieces and nephews.

Preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Rosetta Schwebke; a brother, Roger Schwebke; sister-in-law, Janis

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

LOCAL DEATHS IN 2023

Woodstock Police Department

■ Jason Colleran, 38, Woodstock, was arrested Dec. 7 in the 1500 block of Wheeler Street on charges of domestic battery/physical contact and domestic violence/bodily harm.

Taken to jail. No bond. Court date Dec. 14.

■ Zandra Thomas, 21, Woodstock, was arrested Dec. 6 at Dean Street and Hickory Lane on charges of registration light violation and driving with suspended license. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date Dec. 21.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

Ambulance runs Dec. 14-20: 74 Fire runs Vehicle fire: 1 Combustible spills/leaks: 2 Person in distress: 2 Public service assistance: 10 Cover assignment/standby: 1 Dispatched/canceled en route: 1 Wrong location/no emergency found: 3 System/detector malfunction: 2 Unintentional system/detector: 2 Total: 98

Mary G. Jones Marilyn Ohlrich William E. Reese Sr. Frances Stanwood Stephane Lynn Fylpaa Asher Beverly Meikel Chester (Chet) Hollister Tom Karst George Carlin Caufield Marian E. Lang Katie (Kathryn) Macaulay John M. Demcisak Sr. Dennis Michael Gray Nancy M. Ketchum Patricia ‘Trish’ Frank Marian Noles Walton ‘Walt’ Rosquist Judith Ann Kunzie Ricky Lee (Rick) Goins Allice Nulle Henry Hardy Sugden III Janet Lea Bell Rosalie E. Lauerman Bonnie Rachel McConnell

Schwebke; and a son, Brian James, in infancy.

Visitation will be held at Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home at 1211 N. Seminary Ave. in Woodstock on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024. Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., with service following at 11:30.

In lieu of flowers, donations appreciated in Terry’s memory to Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or the American Cancer Society.

Brink memorial Jan. 10

A memorials gathering for Arthur Thomas Brink will be held Jan. 10 from 3-7 p.m. at the Moose Lodge.

Private services will be held at 11 a.m.

Jan. 11 at Greenwood Cemetery.

Mr. Brink, 87, who was born in Woodstock, died Dec. 14, 2023, at his home in Hot Springs Village, Ark.

Dolores E. Burke Genevieve M. Breitweiser Adam Hanson James Skozek Virginia Vignone Catherine Barkwill William Richard Arsenty Wayne Edward Dye Duane E. Pohlman Mary Patricia Sullivan Diane M. Sheahan Brandon Michael Scott Kathleen Nancy Peterson Barbara J. Andreas Kenneth C. Kopsell James ‘Red’ Gavers John Sullivan Lillian Gehrke Ronald Keith Parrish Bonnie Lynn (Farris) Giles Richard B. Amundsen Pauline H. Dougherty Hans-Peter Labude Kent N. Frisbie James F. Haager

IN BRIEF Voters will get to decide funding for mental health McHenry County voters will have another reason to vote in the primary election in March even if the ballot contains few candidate contests.

The McHenry County Board last week adopted a resolution to place a referendum on the March 19 ballot asking voters whether the local sales tax should be increased by 0.25 percentage point to fund mental health services and the Mental Health Board.

The sales tax would mean the current

Gerald Justen Clara L. Burns Genevieve (Genny) Hay Jerry William Haning Jean Pavelchak Rosater Gary Robert Schauer Richard Stackhouse Sr. Helen B. Biedermann Robert (Bob) Vadnais Dane Kent Walkington Sherri Says-Valencic Marlene Loraine Teuber David Alan Carey Dr. Willa Westheimer Kevin H. Brown Lanny R. Jakubowicz Fred J. Learman Jr. Rita R. Johnson Terry McQueen Beverly S. Boyne Joseph M. Kersten Arthur Thomas Brink Jamieson Ryan Robinett Terry R. “T.R.” Schwebke

property tax levy that funds mental health services would be discontinued That would mean a consumer would pay an additional 25 cents in sales tax for every $100 of personal property bought at retail, effective July 1, 2024. Nearly $11 million would be removed from the county’s property tax levy effective Nov. 30, 2024.

The change would be expected to reduce the county’s portion of property tax by almost 15 percent and increase funding the Mental Health Board receives.

Facebook crowd has ideas about top story of ’23

By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Who can figure out the viral whims of social media?

Whatever you might have thought was the top local story of 2024, our Facebook readers beg to differ.

For pure headline value, the Oct. 9 gas explosion two blocks from the Square was hard to beat. In fact, two stories related to the blast were, in terms of audience reach, among the top 10 stories on The Independent’s Facebook page.

But neither one was No. 1.

That distinction belonged to a traffic accident on Route 47 a few miles north of Woodstock in April. Maybe it was the lengthy closure of the road and the resulting traffic backup that captured the attention of so many people who would have shared it with friends who shared it with others who shared it – the viral effect.

For whatever reason, that story – exclusively on Facebook; we didn’t deem it important enough to publish in our print edition – reached 96,962 people.

A more traditional report, a Lighting of the Square photo by The Independent’s photographer Ken Farver in November, was No. 2, reaching 80,501 Facebook readers.

That event also had the No. 9 most popular posting, with 32,940 impressions for a Farver photo of Miss Woodstock Maggie Adams and Little Miss Woodstock McKenna McAdow as they ceremonially flipped a switch to turn on the lights throughout the Square.

Top 10

1. Accident closes Route 47 north of Woodstock, 96,962 (April) 2. Lighting of the Square photo, 80,501 (Nov) 3. Explosion makes wedding change venues, 63,880 (Nov) 4. BBQ King closes, 51,865 (June) 5. The Independent’s restaurants survey, 49,252 (Aug) 6. Sculpture suggested for traffic roundabout, 46,316 (Aug) 7. Rose Farm Road home with commercial signs, 39,943 (Oct) 8. East End Pizza opening in Wonder Lake, 34,562 (Oct) 9. Miss/Little Miss Woodstock light up the Square, 32,940 (Nov) 10. First gas explosion story with photos, 30,820 (Oct) For the complete list, visit thewoodstockindependent.com.

5 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

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OPINION

Dec.27-Jan. 2, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

6

Opinion

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Cheryl Wormley Publisher, Co-Owner

Paul Wormley Co-Owner

Woodstock, IL • 1987

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Cheryl Wormley Larry Lough Sandy Kucharski Ken Farver

2024 has potential to be transformative

We expect 2024 to be an important year in giving Woodstock definition, direction, and momentum.

But it won’t be without some pain.

We refer particularly to the state’s extensive work to improve the city’s “uptown” – Route 47.

Motorists will be inconvenienced and businesses along the highway will lose some sales while the road is torn up. For those merchants who already are operating with a slim profit margin, the project could be fatal.

We’ll have to keep reminding ourselves of two things: the disruption is temporary, and the result of the $56 million-plus project promises to give Woodstock an economic boost like nothing the city has seen.

A widened, nicely landscaped, well-lighted highway will improve traffic flow and safety as it becomes a magnet for business development.

We don’t expect everyone to be happy about it.

But 25 years ago the city decided this community needed to encourage growth and development, not resist it.

As a complement to Woodstock’s “downtown” around the Square, Route 47 will be an important part of an updated Comprehensive Plan for city growth and development, helping to guide how and where the community grows.

“Downtown” should get a boost as long-overdue development of the former Die Cast factory site finally sees shovels in the ground. While details of a final plan are still being negotiated, the favored proposal of Chicago Hubs Realty would build more than 350 apartments, many of them senior housing, along with some retail and restaurant space.

The hundreds of new residents and their families will provide a readily-available customer base for

INDEPENDENT STAFF PHOTO

This former car wash, and the auto body shop across McConnell Road, will give way to a roundabout when Route 47 is widened and improved in a state project slated to start in 2024. downtown-area restaurants, shops, and services.

Downtown will get an additional jolt in 2024 with completion of University Center, the program of McHenry County College, which plans to begin classes in the fall for students working toward bachelor’s and master’s degrees. What an asset to Woodstock!

Optimism about the future of Woodstock is understandable.

From local government, the community should get a game plan for development. Master plans

are also in the works and should be completed in 2024 for city parks and arts programs and facilities, which are essential quality-of-life features that help to promote residential growth and economic development.

As the city’s new branding tools and strategies are rolled out in the days ahead, the city should have a great story to tell in marketing the community to new residents and employers.

2024 provides plenty to look forward to. The energy is palpable.

» YOUR VIEW

Developers of Riverwoods should build it elsewhere Lennar Corp., a corporation with nearly $34 billion in gross revenues last year, has proposed a 320-unit high-density housing development southeast of the city of Woodstock where Lucas Road intersects Doty and Mount Thabor roads. The planned subdivision would be sited in and alongside wetlands at the headwaters of the Kishwaukee [River] and most certainly destroy sensitive habitat. This is reason enough to examine the request carefully.

Look at the proposal from an economic perspective.

Lennar has requested that Woodstock waive $1.8-million in impact fees. These are one-time fees imposed on builders to pay for the infrastructure required by a new development. The required

infrastructure improvements do not build themselves. Who ends up paying for sewers, electricity, utility installation, etc.?

Lennar thanks you, taxpaying residents of Woodstock.

This massive project will empty onto Lucas Road, a road with speed limit constraints and construction typical of a twolane country road. Now add a minimum of 1,000 trips a day into and out of the proposed subdivision off Lucas Road. This results in an increased traffic load of at least 200,000 trips per year. Who will pay for rebuilding the inevitable degradation of Lucas Road? Not Lennar. The taxpayers who live in Dorr Township would bear the brunt of this cost.

Where will all of these new residents shop? An important question, as it has been claimed the revenue from sales taxes in Woodstock will benefit the city.

The main retail destinations of Huntley, Woodstock, and Crystal Lake are equidistant from this mega-development. Therefore, the tax haul for Woodstock will be, at most, one-third of the anticipated amount due to tax “leakage.”

Four reasons to urge Lennar and the city of Woodstock to look elsewhere: environmental disruption, lack of economic benefit from impact fees, severe transportation impacts, and lack of economic benefit from the sales tax harvest.

Louis Dolmon Woodstock

Illinois taxpayers are fed up funding township network More township government shame, taxpayer funded abuse, and waste.

Thornton Township Supervisor Tiffany Henyard, who is already under fire for spending public money promoting herself and township government, has her name and smiling face on four giant taxpayer funded billboards on Interstate 57 and Bishop Ford Expressway. Vinyl signs cost $10,000, and Clear Channel Outdoor Advertising’s cost is $12,000 rent for one month. The township board was never consulted, according to Thornton Township Trustee Chris Gonzalez. Henyard’s picture and name is also on township vehicles, buildings, and even on rugs.

Township Supervisor Henyard, who is part time, makes $277,000 and is paid over $46,000 as the mayor of Dolton.

Illinois has 1,430 township governments, 1,391 township road districts, 334 Continued on Next page

what lies ahead for our community in 2024. So what might be ahead for each of us?

I’ll use this time between Christmas and the New Year to make a second list. This time, what I hope to accomplish, enjoy, learn, and/ or facilitate in the 366 days that begin Jan. 1. Yes, 2024 is a Leap Year, which gives each of us an additional day to live, love, laugh, and make a difference.

Look-ahead lists can include fitness and health, personal-growth, commitments to family, home improvements, community involvement, travel, entertainment, and more. Look-ahead lists take a bit more time and thought. Often, I am adding items well into the New Year.

I keep them, too. Just last week, I looked at my 2023 list and was pleased to see how many came to fruition. A couple didn’t materialize.

The one about visiting a friend to see the shoe factory she renovated into an apartment building is now on the ’24 list.

I hope you are enjoying the week between Christmas and the New Year, and I invite you to join me in looking back and looking ahead.

Happy New Year!

Cheryl Wormley is publisher of The Independent. Her email is c.wormley@ thewoodstockindependent.com.

Continued from Previous page

» LOCAL CONTACT INFO FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS

multi-township assessment districts, and 26 township cemetery districts – a total of 3,381 taxpayer-funded opportunities of government corruption, cronyism, nepotism, patronage, and waste! Most states do not have the township level of government, and Illinois has 17 counties without township government as well. Government consolidation should start at the township level.

Illinois has thousands more units of government than any other state. The movement of Illinois citizens to other states with fewer governments and lower taxes will not cease until the Illinois General Assembly makes government consolidation a priority!

I can say, without hesitation, that Illinoisans are fed up spending their hardearned dollars on supporting extra layers of overlapping governments and the funding of their officials, employees, salary, benefits, buildings, machinery, equipment, vehicles, and overhead.

U.S. Rep. Bill Foster 11th District Office 2000 W. Galena Blvd., Suite 303 Aurora, IL 60506 630-585-7672

Bob Anderson Wonder Lake

State Rep. Steve Reick District Office 1072 Lake Ave. Woodstock, IL 60098 815-880-5340 State Sen. Craig Wilcox District Office 5400 W. Elm St., Suite 103 McHenry, IL 60050 815-455-6330

» FIRST AMENDMENT

McHenry County Board Chairman Michael Buehler 1630 Quail Way Crystal Lake, IL 60014 815-334-4224 (work) mjbuehler@co.mchenry.il.us Woodstock Mayor Mike Turner 121 W. Calhoun St. Woodstock, IL 60098 815-338-4302 mayor@woodstockil.gov Dorr Township Supervisor Susan Brokaw 1039 Lake Ave. Woodstock, IL 60098 815-338-0125 supervisor@dorrtownship.com

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

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OPINION

computer, tablet, or the notes app on your smart phone.

Find a quiet time and space and let your mind drift back to the people, events, and opportunities Cheryl that warmed your Wormley Declarations heart, were just plain fun, brought new insights, and on and on. My goal is to make a Top 20 list.

If there has been a wedding, birth, or graduation in the family in the past year, it would make my list, as do vacations, family gatherings, and personal accomplishments – like being true to my 2023 resolution to learn something new every week.

Business or work accomplishments are good, too. On my list this year is The Independent’s repeat as the No. 1 source for news and information in Woodstock – confirmed by the city’s survey this past summer, and Larry being named the Illinois Press Association Editor of the Year.

I’ve kept most of my lists. Some were on paper, and others are on my smartphone. In a way, each is like an outline of the year it was written.

Moving right along, let’s switch to thinking ahead. You already may have read Larry’s article that looks at

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

7

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

I relish the pace of the week between Christmas and the New Year. It is a time for reflection – of thinking back and celebrating the year that’s drawing to a close. At the same time, it is a time to anticipate – to look ahead. The New Year is an unknown – a clean slate.

Editor Larry Lough and The Independent’s editorial staff have given us a jump-start on looking back with last week’s excellent and comprehensive 2023 Yearbook and this week’s year in review. Each, in its own way, records what’s been accomplished, celebrated, and endured in our community the past 12 months.

The Yearbook was The Independent’s sixth. Larry brought the idea with him, and he alone gathers the information and photos. Publishing a year-in-review paper the last week of the year has been a staff project for decades.

Personal years in review are also a good idea. I use the last week of the year, the seven days between Christmas and the New Year, to compile mine. Again this year – for I’ve shared this idea with you before – I invite you to do the same. If you haven’t taken up on the idea in the past, I hope you will this year.

It’s easy. All you need is something to write with and something to write on. Yes, paper and pen or pencil work well. Or you can compile the list on a

Woodstock

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Thinking back, looking ahead

The

I NDEPENDENT

SCHOOLS

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

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Buddies help Greenwood students D200 Foundation grant funds ‘new approach to classroom management’

Meadow Santiago from Woodstock, who is studying music at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, will perform in the university’s Chamber Orchestra during the 2023-24 academic year.

Santiago plays Violin I for the group, which includes 22 student musicians.

The group performed at UW-Whitewater’s Gala Holiday Concert Dec. 2 in Young Auditorium.

Steven Maye earns degree in engineering

Steven Maye, from Wonder Lake, graduated from Milwaukee School of Engineering in spring 2023 with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering.

Campisi and Chellberg perform at Augustana

Two local students performed with the Christmas at Augustana program at Augustana College Department of Music on Dec. 2 and 3.

Abby Campisi, a senior environmental studies major from Wonder Lake, played in the Augustana Symphony Orchestra.

Haley Chellberg, a junior business administration-international major from Woodstock, sang with the Augustana Choir.

By Janet Dovidio

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Special buddies are helping second-grade students of teacher Courtney Fisher to learn positive behaviors.

“Best Buddies is a program created by The Good Human Project, which creates resources to engage students and encourage them to use positive behaviors,” Fisher said.

An Impact Grant from District 200 Education Foundation funded the purchase of six of the seven books in the series, one workbook, and seven stuffed animals.

Families have donated additional stuffed animals, which is helping to reach Fisher’s goal of having 20 animals for students to work with.

“Each book starts with an animal that is exhibiting undesirable behaviors,” Fisher explained. “They connect with a grown-up who explains why and how they can change their behavior. The ending shows how the animal is much happier now in their daily life with an improved behavior.”

The second-graders enjoy the learning experience.

“I like the “Quiet and Calm Orca” because it is important to be quiet and calm at school so we can hear

Meadow Santiago plays violin at UW-Whitewater

Kaylee Smith member of Philharmonic Orchestra

Greenwood Elementa ry Jackson Haidacher po students Braxton Stanek, Emmett Thiele, and se with their Best Budd animals. ies book and stuffed the teacher,” said a student who asked not to be named. “I also like “Cooperative Cow,” because getting along with others helps us to have a good life with friends, not so lonely.”

When Fisher sees positive behaviors in the classroom, those students keep the small stuffed animal at their desk for the day.

An award is sent to each student’s home so parents can see what their child did that day.

Students are having fun and

enjoying the program, she said, while she sees daily improvements in behaviors.

“I am so grateful to the D200 Education Foundation for funding a new approach to classroom management,” Fisher said. “They have made a difference in the daily lives of my students through their generosity and helped me to be a more effective teacher. This program will continue to help these students throughout their lives, which is invaluable.”

Kaylee Smith, from Wonder Lake, participated in the 149th Christmas Festival at Carthage College in the A.F. Siebert Chapel in Kenosha, Wis. Smith is a member of the Philharmonic Orchestra.

Jake Miceli gets master’s in food, nutrition at ISU

Jake Miceli, a 2018 graduate of Woodstock North High School, completed his master’s degree in food, nutrition, and dietetics from Illinois State University in December.

He is the son of Linda and Jerry Miceli.

SCHOOLS

COURTESY PHOTO

COLLEGE CURRENTS

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

Greenwood Elementary teacher Courtney Fisher is shown with students Delilah Johnson and Avery Marquez and a “Be Respectful” book from the Best Buddies series.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Schools

9

Student of the Week

Bibiana Bentley Bibiana Bentley, a Woodstock North High School sophomore, is the daughter of Christina Diaz, Woodstock.

The teacher that nominated Bibi said she takes everything she does seriously, never doing anything halfway. “She shows grit and determination beyond her years,” her teacher said.

She is involved in AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) and is a cheerleader.

Outside of school, she volunteers at Feed my Starving Children.

Bibi is inspired by her teacher Ms. Peterson, who she said inspires her to be the bigger person in any situation.

She feels she is successful because she pays attention in class, is well-behaved, and is kind and patient.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

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Members of the Woodstock Moose Lodge rang in the New Year in 1956 with a New Year’s Eve celebration hosted by the lodge.

Don Peasley Photo Collection, McHenry County Historical Society

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

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‘So much music and joy’ High school musicians’ talents entertain during festive season

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

By Janet Dovidio

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Student musicians in Woodstock kept busy spreading holiday cheer the past month.

During Woodstock’s annual Ladies Night Out on Nov. 30, several local high school musical performance groups entertained shoppers as they visited stores and enjoyed refreshments around the Woodstock Square.

Several orchestra ensembles from WHS, in addition to the Madrigal groups from Woodstock and Woodstock North high schools, performed at various locations around the Square as well as at other venues during December. Their directors are Lyndra Bastian, WHS orchestra; Brian Jozwiak, WHS chorus and Madrigals; and Paul Rausch, WNHS Madrigals.

“We have had kids performing all over the Square and town, and they continued to do so until Christmas,” Bastian reported. “The kids volunteered to do these performances.”

Around the Square

While at the Old Courthouse, three WHS orchestra ensembles each performed for an hour during 4 to 7 p.m. The first ensemble included Brisa Choco, Leo Hernandez, Aya Mosley, and Payton Rockwood. The second group included Christian Balgeman, Evelyn Diaz, Julia Morrow, and Sarah Sites. A third ensemble was made up of Mackenzie Green, Ian Hansen, Grace Sebastian, and Landon Thomson. That final group, a string quartet, collaborated with the WHS and WNHS Madrigals for an impromptu performance of “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”

WHS orchestra students also played at Read Between the Lynes bookstore, the Old Courthouse Center, and several downtown restaurants. They performed for 90 minutes at a Home State Bank VIP event before Ladies Night Out. During an additional hour of performing Christmas carols on the Square, WHS musicians Green, Sebastian, Thompson, and Ian

Mathies collected $100 in donations, which was given to the Christmas Clearing House. The donation was matched, so it resulted in $200 to help families in need throughout the community.

“These kids did so much good for our community and businesses,” Bastian said.

Touring the town

WHS Madrigals performed at Stage Left Cafe, the bookstore, Ethereal Confections, and nearly every other shop on the Square. They also performed for three hours on the Square on Saturday, Dec. 2, followed by visits to schools on Dec. 8, along with Rotary Club, City Hall, and School District 200 offices. They continued their tour of town with a performance at St. Mary’s Merry Xmas Market on Dec. 9.

“The singers have worked on a collection of 26 songs since August,” Jozwiak said, “and perform the literature a cappella, completely student-led.”

The WNHS Madrigals shared their talents during this same period. In addition to singing for Ladies Night Out, they performed at Hearthstone Village and Valley Hi Nursing Home. They joined with the WNHS jazz choir Children of the Chord to perform at Greenwood, Olson, and Mary Endres elementary schools, as well as Northwood Middle School. The two groups sang at Beef

COURTESY PHOTOS

Members of Woodstock High School Madrigals perform in the Old Courthouse Center.

Orchestra ensemble (inset) students Landon Thomson, Grace Sebastian, Mackenzie Green, and Ian Hansen also entertained there.

Village, D-200 Administration Center, two Madrigal desserts, and the concert “Yuletide.” They even serenaded the WNHS student body and staff as they entered school one day.

“Our Woodstock North Madrigal Singers have brought so much music and joy to the residents of Woodstock during this festive season, as have the bands, orchestras and choirs at both WNHS and WHS,” Rausch said. “I am grateful to be a part of such dedicated students and teachers who give back so much of their time and talent to the Woodstock community.”

BUSINESS

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

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Business

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office Dec. 6 to 11 .

■ Residence at 3808 Greenwood Drive, Wonder Lake, was sold by Coale R. Faurie, McHenry, to Jamie N. Tonyan, Wonder Lake, for $225,000.

■ Residence at 124 N. Madison St., Woodstock, was sold by Sherry K. Bykowski, Woodstock, to Megan Liebetrau, Woodstock, for $140,000.

■ Residence at 1508 Scarlett Way, Woodstock, was sold by The Joyce F. Smith Living Trust, Naperville, to Spyros Bazigos, Woodstock, for $180,000.

■ Residence at 662 Margaret Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Wendy F. Piersall, Fitchburg, Wis., to Elias Tesfaye, Woodstock, for $490,000.

■ Residence at 8418 White Oaks Court, Wonder Lake, was sold by CalAtlantic Group LLC, Schaumburg, to Joseph F. Giamberduca, Wonder Lake, for $329,900.

■ Farm at 5508 W. Wonder Lake Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by SF Real Estate LLC, Bonita Springs, Fla., to PNP Farm LLC, Third Lake, for $1,600,000.

■ Right of way at 935-941 Country Club Road, Woodstock, was sold by WMG Real Estate 3 LLC, Effingham, to Illinois Department of Transportation, Schaumburg, for $37,200.

■ Residence at 1753 Woodside Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Alexander J. Fayer, Hampshire, to Emily Carolina Colombo, Woodstock, for $191,500.

■ Residence at 1760 Rolling Hills Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Christopher David Salzwedel, Chicago, to Jason Pappas, Woodstock, for $525,000.

■ Residence at 8424 White Oaks Court, Wonder Lake, was sold by CalAtlantic Group LLC, Schaumburg, to Justin M. Puckett, Wonder Lake, for $330,900.

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INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

MobCraft Beer of Milwaukee opened its first microbrewery and tap room in Illinois inside the renovated Sheriff’s House and Jail. MobCraft is among seven tenants, including two incubator businesses, of the newly named Old Courthouse Center.

Post-pandemic bounce Business around Woodstock got its buzz back in 2023

By Susan W. Murray

LARRYS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Three years after the COVID-19 pandemic inflicted interruption on businesses, shuttering some and causing others to retrench, 2023 might go down as the year when normalcy returned.

New businesses debuted, retiring owners found someone to take over, familiar operations grew and moved, and home prices kept rising. On the cusp of 2024, more new businesses are set to open, and long-planned projects appear ready to come to fruition.

Openings

In 2023, the big splash was the something-old that became new again. After years of consulting fees, adjusted plans, change orders, and a price tag nearly double the original estimate, the Old Courthouse opened in early September.

On the top floor, Ethereal’s Courthouse Square event space had 16 bookings confirmed for its first four months – even before the last of the kitchen equipment had been delivered. Makity Make’s DIY crafting took the premier first-floor location across from the Woodstock Area Chamber

of Commerce, with the Records Department, purveyor of vinyl records, and Seleta Scents, dealer in “smelly goods,” occupying the two incubator spots. On the ground floor, the Public House reopened after a year with a menu that mixed old favorites with new offerings and the entire restaurant on one level.

Next door in the historic Sheriff’s House and Jail, MobCraft Beer had a delayed opening for its microbrewery and taproom.

Woodstock added to its popular collection of vintage and home Continued on NEXT page

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THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

goods stores in June with the Grove House Market on East Judd Street.

Restaurants were hard hit during the pandemic, but that didn’t dim Woodstock residents’ enthusiasm for dining out, as evidenced by the enthusiastic response to The Woodstock Independent’s request that readers share their wishlists for what new cuisines they wanted to see in town.

When BBQ King threw in the towel on its Woodstock location during the summer, Antigua Mexican Grill quickly took its place, opening on Sept. 1. Zac Dolezal, chef and owner at Duke’s Alehouse in Crystal Lake, added a second location, Duke’s Inferno, in the former Americano on Catalpa Lane on Nov. 1, specializing in wood-fired pizza, sandwiches, and salads. On the casual side, Tropical Smoothie Cafe recently opened in a Jewel outlot, and Pizza Hut returned to Woodstock in a streamlined operation on South Eastwood Drive. In the Woodstock Square neighborhood, J&G Pastries grew from a home-based operation to fill the retail spot next to Classic Cinemas, and Rocket Fizz Soda Pop and Candy Shop became the first tenant in the renovated former home of Harris Bank on Benton Street.

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

BUSINESS

New face, familiar spaces

Fans of La Placita and Expressly Leslie Vegetarian Specialties were dismayed to learn that respective owners (and husband and wife) Edgardo and Rhonda Urbina planned to retire in the spring. But former La Placita waitress Maria Castañeda and her husband, Orfanel Aviles, seized the opportunity to open Mary’s Mexican Grill with Aviles as chef. At Expressly Leslie’s, new owners Fernando and Sandra Tatia took over on June 1, retaining the counter-service restaurant’s recipes, menu, and staff.

Longtime Angelo’s/Papa G’s/ Double Yolk employees Cathy Berkowski and Eliseo Rios-Almendariz bought The Double Yolk Cafe from retiring owner Tom Teresi and quickly endeared themselves to patrons by opening the popular breakfast and lunch spot on Mondays.

On the move

While Lake Marine & RV consolidated its operation at its Lake Avenue location, other businesses moved to larger locations.

Astri Aura again acquired a dedicated shop by moving to MD

DRAWING BY WJW ARCHITECTS

Apartments above retail space would be part of phase 3 of the preliminary plans for development of the former Die Cast factory site north of the train station. The early phases would build senior housing, but a formal redevelopment plan had yet to be approved by the City Council.

Trains’ Cass Street location when the railroad hobby shop took over a larger retail spot next door in the Woodstock Mall. EmpowHer returned to the Woodstock Square with a Salon and Extension Lounge, made possible by the merging of Iron & Ivory and Betty & Beau Bridal Boutique at 129 E. Van Buren St. And work is underway at the former McHenry County Housing Department at 1108 N. Seminary Ave. to allow Hart Jiu Jitsu expanded space for classes.

Home prices still climbing High interest rates for mortgages continued to keep the inventory low in homes for sale, resulting in higher prices.

According to the real estate website Zillow, home values rose 5 percent in the 60098 ZIP code over the past year. Homes go from on-the-market to “pending” in an average of 11 days, with 53 percent of listings selling for above list price.

With new home construction virtually stopped in Woodstock over the past two years, one wonders whether the city council will see Lennar Home’s proposed 320-unit development along Lucas Road as an opportunity to offer some relief to home buyers, despite the Plan Commission’s 6-2 vote against recommending the proposal to the City Council. The council is expected to consider in plan in February.

Expected in 2024 The first half of the year should see the openings of the Tidal Wave Auto Spa on Lake Avenue next to Aldi’s and the Food Shed Co-op on Route 14 at Lake Shore Drive.

Work continues on the former Century Tile building downtown, but no announcement as to a tenant.

Will this be the year that construction starts at the Die Cast site north of the train station, the Trio convenience store comes to fruition at Route 47 and South Street, and/or something gets built on the former Richard’s Building Supply lot at Judd and Madison streets, now owned by MBI? Stay tuned ...

BUSINESS

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

14

Community

Not for kids only

Macyn’s Jars designed to keep children calm in medical situations

By Tricia Carzoli

by example, including her mother; her father, Sean; and a friend of her mom’s.

What began as the small group packing and collecting fidgets for an ER grew, nearly overnight, into a nonprofit that needed help. Macyn’s Jars, which has held packing parties for groups and individuals, has a donation site where people can contribute money or buy fidgets off a wish-list.

“We want people to feel as involved as they can,” Ritchie said.

“So we have many options for being a part of the Macyn’s Jars community.”

TRICIA@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

When Kellyn Vandewalker’s life changed in 2020 after having her nose nearly bitten off by a dog, she said she knew deep in her soul that God would use the situation for good.

“I knew it,” she said. “I didn’t know how, but I knew that God had a plan.”

Fast forward three years, when she and her husband, Alec, welcomed a healthy baby girl they named Macyn (pronounced like Mason), after a character in a book she had read in middle school.

At the same time, her twin sister, Kiara Ritchie, who works at a local hospital emergency room, noticed a need.

“Our ER program that provided stuffed animals to kids was ending,” Kiara said. “And our nurses were using their own money to buy things to keep kids calm in our waiting room and the ER.” An opportunity was seen by Erin Carey, Kellyn’s mother.

“When Macyn was born,” she said, “I realized that it was so simple – we would make Macyn’s jars – it was perfect.”

VandeWalker recalled her time in the hospital as an adult might have been a different experience if she had had something to distract her.

“The community was so incredible here,” Vandewalker said. “I knew I couldn’t just take that kindness and run away with it.”

She and her four sisters decided to fill both hearts and jars by collecting five different fidgets that fit in one plastic mason jar, creating a gift designed for anyone age 3 and up.

“We’ve had adults using these jars in my ER,” Ritchie said. “And the kids have really enjoyed it. The great thing is that they are great for everyone – not just kids.”

Variety in a jar

But not just in hospitals, Ritchie said. They have also been used on

Project growing

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Five different figets fit into a Macyn’s Jar to provide activities for children (of all ages) as a distraction while they await medical treatment. ambulance runs when children might not need to be hospitalized.

“It is so much more universal than a stuffed animal,” she said, “and can be used in many other ways.”

The five fidgets include a spinner ball that helps to focus attention on something else; a pop-it grid with both sound and sensory distraction; a clacker that can be formed into a variety of shapes; a stretchy wiggle worm that offers the ability to pull and twist a kid’s tension out; and a stress ball to provide feelings of calm in the midst of anger, anxiety, and fear.

Macyn’s Jars, which were launched a few months ago at Northwestern Medicine in Woodstock, recently have been requested in all five McHenry County Hospitals. The jars are sealed and can go

home with the patients.

“It is something that is theirs,” VandeWalker said, “and they can use it whenever they feel like they need a distraction.”

Family affair

But the project didn’t stop at emergencies.

Carey reported the jars have been requested at other locations, including the office of Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center, the Zen Den at Woodstock High School, Well-Rooted Pediatrics, and Willow Creek’s Trafficking resource center.

Carey said all five of her girls are on the Board of Directors, each with a passion for making a difference in the lives of others.

VandeWalker said that when embarking on creating a 501(c)(3), she had people in her life who led

Carey said the generosity of the community has been overwhelming.

“We love that this gives back to those in our own community,” she said. “And that it was born from God taking a difficult time in our life and allowing others to feel comfort is really the best thing. We are so happy with how it has taken off.”

Ritchie said Macyn’s Jars will have filled 1,000 jars by the end of the year – in a little over 120 days.

The organization is already getting interest from other medical networks and services. In light of that, the group is looking for more storage space to accommodate larger supplies of jars to be at the ready when they are called.

“I’m so thankful to our community,” VandeWalker said. “They embraced me and supported me, and I feel so blessed to be able to give back to the same local community who gave me so much hope. We need the community right now – and we, in particular, would appreciate prayer as we move forward.”

Anyone interested in donating funds or buying fidgets can find information at macynsjars.org.

People or organizations interested in packing can volunteer by emailing macynjarcommunications@ gmail.com.

By Destiny Seaton

COURTESY PHOTO

Woodstock-based Environmental Defenders of McHenry County hosts a “thank you” event to honor local officials who signed the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge in 2023.

open until December 31. Pledge at https://illinoismonarchproject.org/#pledge.

You can also now buy an Illinois Monarch Butterfly license olate at ilsos.gov/publications/ pdf_publications/vsd981.pdf. Proceeds from the plate support the Illinois Monarch Pledge.

Thank you, again, to all who pledged to protect monarchs in 2023, and to all the volunteers who helped obtain the pledges.

Destiny Seaton is communication and membership specialist for the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, which provides a monthly column to The Independent.

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COMMUNITY

signatories for the 2024 pledge. The pledge period for 2024 runs through March 31, 2024.

If your town, park district, or school district hasn’t yet pledged and you would like to help encourage them to, reach out to the chairwoman of the Defenders’ WNRP Team, Cindy Skrukrud, at cskrukrud@gmail.com to join the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge Committee.

Additionally, if you’re interested in doing more to protect monarch butterflies, you can make a personal pledge with the Illinois Monarch Project, which has a goal of adding 150 million new milkweed plants and other pollinator plants to the Illinois landscape by 2038. The pledge is

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

You may remember, last year the Environmental Defenders were able to get 13 villages, cities, townships, and parks to sign up for the 2022 National Wildlife Federation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge. Those 13 pledges represented 28 percent of all the pledges made in Illinois, more than any other county. The Defenders are proud to announce that we have done it again.

In 2023, McHenry County was able to obtain pledges from 12 towns, one park district, and one township. The pledges from McHenry County make up 25 percent of all pledges in the state, once again positioning us as the leader in Illinois for monarch protection.

The villages of Algonquin, Bull Valley, Hebron, Holiday Hills, Huntley, Johnsburg, Lake in the Hills, Marengo, and Union; the cities of Crystal Lake, Harvard and Woodstock; Nunda Township; and Crystal Lake Park District – all signed the 2023 pledge, committing to at least three actions throughout the year to support our state’s insect conservation. Thank you to all who signed!

You can see more about the pledge of each entity for specific action at nwf.org/ MayorsMonarchPledge.

The Defenders’ Water and Natural Resources Protection Action Team has been working very hard since 2021 to get entities in the county to sign the pledge, and they are already recruiting

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Green Scene: Mayors’ Monarch Pledges locally tops in Illinois

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COMMUNITY

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

16

Divide and conquer, or unite and concur?

“United we stand. Divided we fall.” – Winston Churchill, among others

Welcome to the final days of December 2023. For many of us, it’s a time when we look ahead to 2024 with optimism, trepidation, or both.

After all, it’ll be a year to cheer on Olympic hopefuls competing in Paris (optimism), but it’ll also be a year when presidential politics takes center stage (trepidaPaul tion). And unlike Lockwood the 17 days of A Musing red-white-andblue “Go USA” chants we may be saying in front of our TV sets in July and August, the blue-versus-red presidential race will last from January’s Iowa caucuses through the primaries (e.g., the Illinois primary is March 19), the Chicago and Milwaukee party conventions, and finally the November election. With words like “vermin” and “poisoning the blood of our country” already being used by one of the leading candidates, and with several court cases involving candidates and/or their adult children, I don’t think I’m alone in believing that we could witness the most divisive presidential race in modern

IN BRIEF McHenry County seeks election judges for 2024 Election judges are needed for 2024, with the first date of service for the primary election March 19.

McHenry County Clerk and Recorder Joe Tirio has put out the call for people who would like to be election judges for the March primary and general election Nov. 5.

Election judges are paid for working an election, receiving training, and helping set up and deliver equipment.

For more information visit mchenrycountyclerkil.gov.

Rocketry club to teach rocket building Jan. 6

The Fox Valley Rocketeers, a local club of model rocketry enthusiasts, will host a rocketry building session from 1 to 4 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 6, at the Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd St. The club will have its January virtual

history.

All of this makes me want to look back at times when presidents gave speeches intended to unite the country instead of divide it. “My Fellow Americans,” a 2010 book/CD set

by Michael Waldman, does an excellent job of highlighting “the most important speeches of America’s presidents, from George Washington to Barack Obama.” Consider Thomas Jefferson’s first inaugural address.

As Waldman describes it, “with eloquence and a sure political touch, he soothed still raw wounds.” In Jefferson’s words: “Let us, then, fellow-citizens, unite with one heart and one mind. Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty and even life itself are but dreary things.”

Consider the closing words of Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address, delivered after the Civil War deaths of more than 620,000 men.

The speech came about five weeks before Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant and only six weeks before Lincoln was assassinated. In Lincoln’s words: “Let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”

John F. Kennedy’s only inaugural address came during the Cold

War, and his words about “both sides” may have referred to the U.S. and Soviet Union (and supporting nations of each). However, I can’t help but wish JFK’s sentiments could be agreed to by all of us, including politicians, in 2023-24: “So let us begin anew – remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear. But let us never fear to negotiate. Let both sides explore what problems unite us instead of belaboring those problems which divide us.”

The executive branch itself was the focal point for a crisis in August 1974 when Gerald Ford took the oath of office after the resignation of Richard Nixon. Ford was moving up from a vice presidency he’d had for less than a year, Spiro Agnew having stepped down in October 1973. In his remarks after taking the oath, Ford, speaking of those in Congress who had confirmed him as vice president, made it clear that he wouldn’t be a divisive leader, regardless of his party affiliation: “They were of both parties, elected by all the people and acting under the Constitution in their name. It is only fitting then that I should pledge to them and to you that I will be the President of all the people.” Later in the speech: “I pledge an uninterrupted and sincere search for peace.”

Waldman’s book doesn’t cover

speeches by our most recent two presidents, but I think it’s important to quote from both of their inaugural addresses (to see the text of both speeches, check out pbs.org/newshour/politics/transcript-read-president-trumps-full-inaugural-address and whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/ speeches-remarks/2021/01/20/ inaugural-address-by-presidentjoseph-r-biden-jr/). First, from January 2017, President Trump: “What truly matters is not which party controls our government but whether our government is controlled by the people.” Second, from January 2021, President Biden: “We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts.”

“United” and “untied” are anagrams with vastly different meanings. May we listen closely to the words of our prospective leaders to select those who know the difference between truly uniting us and untying the bonds/beliefs we all share.

Paul Lockwood is an enthusiastic storyteller, singer, constant punster, occasional local theater actor (e.g., Storybook Players repertory member), active Grace Lutheran Church and Toastmasters member, theater reviewer, and more.

Paul has lived in Woodstock for 23 years with his wife, Diane.

FOR THE KIDS meeting from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, via GoogleMeet. For more information, visit foxvalleyrocketeers.org. A map to flying fields, the launch safety protocol, and latest launch information are at that site.

City crews next week begin picking up Christmas trees

Beginning Tuesday, Jan. 2, through Monday, Jan, 29, the Woodstock Department of Public Works offers residents several opportunities to have discarded Christmas trees collected on the regularly scheduled trash pickup day.

Trees must be on the parkway by 7 a.m. on pickup day. They are mulched immediately and cannot contain tinsel, lights, decorations, nails, bags, or stands Employees collecting trees are also responsible for snow and ice control activities, which could delay the collection of trees by a day or two.

Call Public Works at 815-338-6118 or email pwdept@woodstockil.gov with any questions.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Vicki Cusack wraps presents for her children last week when Home of the Sparrow had a holiday gifts pickup and wrap event for its clients at the agency’s new offices in Woodstock. Home of the Sparrow is a nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the prevalence of homelessness among women, children, families, and individuals.

PHOTO DETECTIVE

17

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

COMMUNITY

– Susan W. Murray

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Photo Detectives, your last mystery should have been relatively easy to solve, an early Christmas gift from our intrepid Chief Photo Detective Maggie Crane.

The Shell station was located at 850 S. Eastwood Drive.

The original owners were Louis and Jack Wendt. Today, this is DeCraene’s Service Center. Mark DeCraene runs the Woodstock location, while Tony DeCraene runs the Harvard location.

Photo Detective Crane also notes that in our last installment, George Meyers was identified as a former mayor of Woodstock.

Meyers served on the City Council but was not mayor. She – and we – regret the error.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER COURTESY PHOTO

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

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

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

18

Happenings

calendar 28 THURSDAY

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

COMMUNITY

THE COMEDY ZONE MYLES WEBER

Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren St. 7:30 p.m. $22 woodstockoperahouse.com

30 SATURDAY

THE FABTONES - ‘60S DANCE PARTY Kingston Lanes 1330 Eastwood Dr. 8 p.m.

31 SUNDAY

NEW YEAR’S EVE

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY WITH OFF SQUARE MUSIC Stage Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St. Reservations required at offsquaremusic.org

JANUARY

1 MONDAY

WELCOME 2024!

4 THURSDAY

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

6 SATURDAY

INDOOR WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

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

GENEALOGY RESEARCH ASSISTANCE

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

Kishwaukee Trail Chapter DAR 815-245-6944

8 MONDAY

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

815-338-6787

9 TUESDAY

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

11 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA Stage Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m. woodstockoperahouse.com

12 FRIDAY

OPEN MIC NIGHT

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

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

13 SATURDAY

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

16 TUESDAY

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

17 WEDNESDAY

MEMORY MAKERS STORYTELLING GROUP Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. (in person) 9:30 a.m. to noon 815-338-0542, ext. 14125

18 THURSDAY

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

To submit calendar items, email pr@thewoodstockindependent.com

19 FRIDAY

WINTER NIGHT’S FUN AT HENNEN CONSERVATION AREA

27 SATURDAY

‘TREASURE ISLAND’

4622 Dean St. 6 to 8 p.m.

Free, register at conservemc.org

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

20 SATURDAY

28 SUNDAY

INDOOR WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

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

21 SUNDAY

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

23 TUESDAY

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

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

25 THURSDAY

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

Resurrection Catholic Church

‘TREASURE ISLAND’

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

FOREST BATHING WALK AT HENNEN CONSERVATION AREA 4622 Dean St. 1 to 2:30 p.m. $25 per person Register at conservemc.org

FEBRUARY

1 THURSDAY

WELCOMING OF THE GROUNDHOG 101 N. Johnson St. 6 to 6:30 p.m.

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

2 FRIDAY

GROUNDHOG DAYS PROGNOSTICATION Woodstock Square 7 to 7:30 a.m.

2918 South Country Club Road Woodstock, IL 60098

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

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

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

The8:00 Sunday a.m. is livestreamed.

2918 South Country Club Road, IL 60098

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

FLASHBACKS

19

5 years ago – 2018

30 years ago – 1993

The Marian Central Catholic High School girls basketball team improved its record to 10-1 after winning three games in the Genoa-Kingston Christmas Tournament.

25 years ago – 1998

■ Public Works Director John Isbell announced that cleanup and maintenance of the old Woodstock landfill on Davis Road could cost more than $5 million.

■ Woodstock Theatre held a grand reopening. Though the interior had been extensively redecorated, tickets were still $1.50.

■ WHS junior Casey Tebo was named Athlete of the Week after leading his basketball team in double-digit scoring in consecutive games.

20 years ago – 2003

■ Northwood Middle School health teacher Dominic Cannata certified his 2,000th student in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

■ The Woodstock Public Library staff’s project to provide a book for every child on the Christmas Clearing House list was a success. More than 1,000 children received a book or two. The upper age limit for receiving books was 13. The library staff had hopes of including high school recipients in 2004.

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO BY DENNIS MATHES

DEC. 29, 1993 – Volunteer Michael Schordje rings a bell inviting shoppers to donate to the Salvation Army at the Jewel supermarket in Woodstock.

Schordje was on duty when someone donated a $10 gold piece worth $375 wrapped in a $100 bill.

15 years ago – 2008

■ At a public hearing to discuss the possibility of dredging Wonder Lake, tensions ran high as opponents and supporters of the proposed special service area butted heads. An estimated 700 residents attended the hearing at Greenwood Elementary School.

■ Bill Lee, commissioner of the Frontier League, an independent professional baseball league, told the City Council one of the league’s teams could be playing in Woodstock as early as the spring of 2010. The council had previously approved a special use permit that would allow a 6,000- to 7,000-seat multi-use stadium facility

Your ad could sponsor this Flashbacks section!

in Woodstock.

■ Hundreds of Christmas Clearing House volunteers delivered food, gifts, and winter clothing to 1,140 families.

Among the volunteers were more than 50 Marian Central basketball players.

10 years ago – 2013

■ After 39 years, the families of Angelo’s Restaurant announced they would retire. The popular restaurant on the Square was opened in 1975 by brothers-in-law Peter Mourelatos and Dennis Paloumbis. “Once the ‘Restaurant Impossible’ show and everything came by, I think my family realized the restaurant wasn’t theirs anymore,”

■ The City Council approved a special-use permit allowing the McHenry County Environmental Defenders to build a 700-kilowatt solar farm on an 8-acre parcel at Dean Street and U.S. 14.

■ New Opera House director Daniel Campbell and several others were seeing the fulfillment of a longtime dream of comedy nights at Stage Left Café.

“We’ve been talking about this for 10 years or more, “Campbell said. “[Stage Left] is perfectly set up to be a comedy backdrop for a stand-up routine ….” Acts had been booked for the fourth Saturday of every month through the end of 2019.

■ City of Woodstock officials were continuing to tweak the city’s liquor licenses to accommodate business models of proposed restaurants that planned to serve alcohol – and maybe even offer video gaming. Twice in two months, the City Council altered the local liquor ordinance – first for ShadowView Brewing on Lake Shore Drive, and then for Sofie’s Whiskey and Wine in the former Ace Hardware building on South Eastwood Drive. An application from Holzlager, also in the former Ace Hardware building, was scheduled for January.

1 year ago – 2022

■ Looking into the New Year, The Woodstock Independent reported on some major projects awaiting action in 2023: completion of the Old Courthouse renovation; decisions about the Opera House renovation and on the Die Cast development; consultants’ reports regarding the updating of the comprehensive plan and the city branding campaign; and the state moving forward on the long-awaited Route 47 widening.

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The

Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT

Call 815-338-8040 today. thewoodstockindependent.com

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

Facebook: fb.com/fpcwoodstock

2018 N Il Route 47 · Woodstock, Illinois · 815-338-2627

services are live-streamed at fpcwoodstock.org/worship

Dec 31 - online service only

All are welcome!

COMMUNITY

■ The Independent featured Woodstock Mayor Bill Anderson’s memories of his childhood at Woodstock Children’s Home. He thanked families that invited him to their homes for the holidays.

■ The Woodstock Super 8 Motel provided free accommodations Christmas Eve and Christmas night to friends and relatives of patients at Memorial Hospital.

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

■ Woodstock High School senior Sara Pfannkuche attended the National Young Leaders Conference in Washington, D.C., while fellow senior Emily Weiss received the DAR Good Citizen Award.

■ Sharryl Bartlett, Woodstock, won the grand prize, a VCR, at the opening of Video Gallery.

■ WHS varsity basketball player Riley Thomas scored 14 points in the first quarter of a 75-56 win over Cary-Grove.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

said Angelo Mourelatos, son of Peter Mourelatos.

■ The D-200 Music Boosters named its Musicians of the Month: McKenna Sweet, Prairiewood Elementary School; Hazel Ringpis, Northwood Middle School; and Tessa Martinez, Kellie Smith, and Abigail Kreznor, WHS. ■ Marian Central wrestler Nick Remke won the 145-pound weight class in the John Sciacca/Richard Holtfreter Wrestling Tournament at Harvard High School.

35 years ago – 1988

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

20•

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RUBES By Leigh Rubin

HEATHCLIFF By Peter Gallagher

PUZZLE PAGE

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2017

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

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PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on DECEMBER 5, 2023, 2023 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as BELDEN FARMS located at 7610 RT. 173 RICHMOND, IL 60071. Owner Name & Address: DAVID POPENHAGEN 7610 RT. 173 RICHMOND, IL 60071.

Dated: DECEMBER 5, 2023 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 13, 2023, December 20, 2023, December 27, 2023) L11709

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on DECEMBER 8, 2023, 2023 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as Q & A REPORTING located at 1819 QUAIL COURT WOODSTOCK, IL 60098.

Owner Name & Address: KATHLEEN E. PHILLIPS 1819 QUAIL COURT WOODSTOCK, IL 60098.

Dated: DECEMBER 8, 2023 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 13, 2023, December 20, 2023, December 27, 2023) L11711

PUBLIC NOTICE

TAKE NOTICE TO: MCHENRY COUNTY CLERK AND RECORDER, CORNERSTONE PASSION BLDRS LLC, UNKNOWN OWNERS OCCUPANTS PERSONS INTERESTED, CARL P. BORMET FOR CORNERSTONE PASSION BLDRS LLC, COSTABILE, RICHARD M. FOR CORNERSTONEPASSION BUILDERS, LLC, RON DAVIDSON FOR THE SANCTUARY OF BULL VALLEY MASTER OPERATING ASSOCIATION, INC., ILLINOIS CORPORATION SERVICE FOR COMPANYFIRSTSERVICE RESIDENTIAL, TAX DEED NO.:2023-TX-000131 FILED: 12/04/2023 County of McHenry Date Premises Sold November 01, 2021 Certificate No. 2020-00612 Sold for General Taxes of (year) 2020 Sold for Special Assessment of (Municipality) and special assessment number N/A Warrant No. NA Inst. No NA THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN SOLD FOR DELINQUENT TAXES Property located at 1260 E LONGWOOD DR, Woodstock, IL 6009-8 Legal Description or Property Index No. 13-14-102-020 This notice is to advise you that the above property has been sold for delinquent taxes and that the period of redemption from the sale will expire on June 03, 2024. The amount to redeem is subject to increase at 6 month intervals from the date of sale and may be further increased if the purchaser at the tax sale or his or her assignee pays any subsequently accruing taxes or special assessments to redeem the property from

subsequent forfeitures or tax sales.

Check with the county clerk as to the exact amount you owe before redeeming. This notice is also to advise you that a petition has been filed for a tax deed which will transfer title and the right to possession of this property if redemption is not made on or before June 03, 2024. This matter is set for hearing in the Circuit Court of this county in Woodstock, IL on June 10, 2024 at 11:00 AM. You may be present at this hearing but your right to redeem will already have expired at that time. YOU ARE URGED TO REDEEM IMMEDIATELY TO PREVENT LOSS OF PROPERTY Redemption can be made at any time on or before June 03, 2024 by applying to the County Clerk, McHenry County, Illinois at the Office of the County Clerk in Woodstock, Illinois, 60098. For further information contact the County Clerk 667 Ware Rd #107, Woodstock, IL 60098. 815-334-4242 Petitioner, INTEGRITY INVESTMENT FUND, LLC, Purchaser or Assignee (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 27, 2023)L11712

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF CHANGE TO DBA CLOSING THE BUSINESS File #20540 Public Notice is hereby given that on December 18, A.D. 2023, a Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of McHenry County IL concerning the business known as GREAT CHINA located at 3722 W. ELM ST. MCHENRY, IL 60050 which certificate sets forth the following change: CLOSING THE BUSINESS in the DBA thereof: MEI ZHEN YANG CLOSING BUSINESS GREAT CHINA LOCATED AT 2710 ARBOR DR. MCHENRY, IL 60050.

Dated this 18th day of DECEMBER. A.D., 2023 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County

Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 27, 2023)L11715

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2023PR000348 In the Matter of the Estate of DEBRA A. YESTER Deceased CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of DEBRA A. YESTER Of: CRYSTAL LAKE, IL Letters of office were issued on: 12/4/2023 To Representative: RICHARD L. KNAPP 74 S. MCHENRY AVE. CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014 whose attorney is: WAGGONER LAW FIRM 4 N. WALKUP AVE. CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014 Claims against the estate may be filed within six months from the date of the first publication. Any claim not filed within six months from the date of first publication or claims not filed within three months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to Creditor, whichever is later, shall be barred.

Claims may be filed in the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court at the McHenry County Government Center, 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, Illinois, 60098, or with the representative, or both. Copies of claims filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to his attorney within ten days after it has been filed. /s/KATHERINE M KEEFE (Clerk of the Circuit Court) (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 27, 2023)L11716

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Self-Storage Sale Please notice Red Dot Storage 6 Woodstock located at 2105 S. Eastwood Dr, Woodstock, IL 60098 intends to hold an auction of the goods stored in the following units in default for non-payment of rent. The sale will occur as an online auction via www.storageTreasures. com on 1/15/2024 at 9:30 am. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents is household goods and furnishings. Carolina Aguilar Unit #901; Vanessa McGehee Unit #315; Timothy Whaples Unit #336. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for details.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for details.

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

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2023PR000357 In the Matter of the Estate of IRENE P. KOENIG Deceased CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of IRENE P. KOENIG Of: PALOS HEIGHTS, IL Letters of office were issued on: 12/19/2023 To Representative: GREGORY ALAN PRESTIPINO 1670 WICKER ST. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098 FRANK E. PRESTIPINO JR. 451 MENSHING RD. ROSELLE, IL 60172 whose attorney is: MICHLING LAW FIRM 101 N. THROOP ST. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098 Claims against the estate may be filed within six months from the date of the first publication. Any claim not filed within six months from the date of first publication or claims not filed within three months from the date of mailing or delivery of Notice to Creditor, whichever is later, shall be barred.

Claims may be filed in the office of the Clerk of Circuit Court at the McHenry County Government Center, 2200 North Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, Illinois, 60098, or with the representative, or both. Copies of claims filed with the Clerk must be mailed or delivered to the representative and to his attorney within ten days after it has been filed. /s/KATHERINE M KEEFE (Clerk of the Circuit Court) (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 27, 2023)L11719

PUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

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

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on DECEMBER 4, 2023, 2023 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as VMZ AUTO located at 720 S. EASTWOOD DR. UNIT 109 WOODSTOCK, IL 60098.

Owner Name & Address: MAXIMILIANO BARCENA ROBLES 1129 N. MADISON ST. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098.

Dated: DECEMBER 4, 2023 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 13, 2023, December 20, 2023, December 27, 2023) L11708

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

PUBLIC NOTICES

23

Sports

< Jess Lea Tonge hits 26.633 mph during a Fast CAT trial at the McHenry County Fairgrounds in September.

s hockey Updated King WHS, crest includes WNHS

Thunder senior Grace Zankle keeps focused despite her flying braid during the Woodstock North Regional.

SPORTS

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

24

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTOS

< Marian coaches Jim Herff, Randy Kline, Ryan Prater, and Jordan Blanton look on during a home meet in January.

Former Marian football player Thor Paglialong in action for the U.S. Air Force Academy.

2023 YEAR IN REVIEW

This year we featured talented athletes and all-around good sports

By Sandy Kucharski with TWI file and courtesy photos

SANDY@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

In 2023, The Woodstock Independent covered sports and sports enthusiasts of many varieties. While the majority were varsity-level high school students, the sports section also featured youth sports, adult athletes, and even a really fast dog.

While we tend to recognize those at the top of their game, we also acknowledge those who coach and create opportunities to participate in sports, as well as the joy of the everyday athlete.

We feature an extensive list of scores, running-season standings, and highlights in our Scoreboard section, totalling 616 this year.

Our staff of photographers covered

countless sporting events, creating galleries of photos for us to choose from for print, but also for parents to peruse, giving them the opportunity to obtain shots of their athletes that aren’t possible with a cellphone from the sidelines.

Keeping up with collegiates

Along with accomplishments during the respective sports season, we recognize student athletes who commit to continuing their sports career in college.

The Woodstock Independent sports section also follows Marian, Woodstock, and Woodstock North high school alumni through the regular College Report column, giving readers the opportunity to follow their favorites. We featured 169 college athletes this year.

Challenges faced

We’ve seen various teams deal with difficulties in filling rosters at all three high schools. Efforts have been made to create early interest with feeder

programs, and at times District 200 has entertained discussions regarding combining athletic programs.

Creating a successful program can create a draw for a school, such as the powerhouse wrestling program that has been cultivated at Marian. The success can draw student interest and positive attention to a program, but it can also put it under a microscope.

Just last week we learned that Marian head coach Jordan Blanton had been suspended by the IHSA for alleged recruiting violations, and freshman wrestler Jimmy Mastny was banned from ever wrestling at Marian.

Stacy Blanton, the coach’s mother, filed a restraining order against the IHSA to halt the suspension. The next day, Judge David Gervais granted the restraining order, temporarily lifting the suspensions. We’ll be following how this affects the sport into 2024.

Filling niches

Two new high school sports opportunities came to fruition this year, offering new outlets for student

athletes.

District 200 launched the first WHS/ WNHS co-op all-girls wrestling team.

With a dedicated girls coach and a schedule of all-girl meets, the team is making history with every first they experience.

A new partnership struck with the Kings High School Hockey Club allows District 200 high school athletes to play for their school-affilliated team.

Each new offering gives high school students another chance to find an activity that appeals to them and the opportunity to experience the benefits of school sports.

Finding fun

Some of our most interesting finds, however, come to our attention during the summer school break, and people of Woodstock never fail to impress.

We shared a variety of stories, including a local female ironman competitor, rodeoing brothers, a restaurant-sponsored auto racing family, and a nationally recognized sprinting dog record holder.

25

MAKING IT TO STATE

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

(As reported in The Woodstock Independent) The pinnacle of high school sports is to qualify for the IHSA state championship, and our local teams and athletes did not dissapoint.

Bella Borta Three-time state-qualifying WHS cross-country team.

Ellery Shutt takes the baton from Ishan Patel for the WHS 4x800 relay team.

WNHS dance team

WHS dance team

Special Olympics athletes from District 200 show off state medals.

Ashley Janeczko

SPORTS

Marian’s Vance Williams in action at the state tournament

■ Woodstock’s Zach Canaday (185), qualified to compete in the IHSA Class 2A state wrestling tournament.

■ Six girls earned seven state track bids to the IHSA Class 2A state championships.

WHS: Hallie Steponaitis (high jump), Amina Idris (300m hurdles), Keira Bogott (800m run).

WNHS: Ashley Janesczko (discus and shot put). Marian: Amelia Reiche (long jump). Three medaled: Steponaitis, 7th; Janeczko, 9th shot put; Bogott, 9th ■ Three WHS boys tennis team members qualified for the state tournament. Marc Cheng, singles, and the doubles team of Liam Hanson and Vince Perez.

■ WHS qualified seven athletes in six events for the IHSA Class 2A Boys Track and Field Championships: Ishan Patel, 1,600m; Dylan Hanson, 3,200m; Jared Kniola, 110m hurdles and 300m hurdles; Tyler Moon, shot put; 4x800 relay – (Ishan Patel, Ellery Shutt, Aryan Patel, and Cohen Shutt). The relay team finished 7th in state (8 minutes, 4.78 seconds), breaking a school record from 2009.

■ WNHS qualfied two athletes in boys track and field: Giovanni Young, 110 hurdlles; Landan Creighton, pole vault ■ Special Olympic athletes from Woodstock School District 200 brought home 17 medals, including 13 golds, from the State Championship Summer Games at Illinois State University. Participating athletes were: Jalen Means, Aubrey Zientek, Blake Svitak, Kailyn Hedke, David Gruett, Olivia Covell, Madison Kniola, and Easton Freund.

■ As Marian golfers, sisters Ella and Nina Notaro qualified to compete as individuals in the IHSA Class 1A golf championships.

■ Marian junior Peter Louise qualified for the IHSA 1A state golf tournament ■ The Woodstock boys cross-country team qualified for the IHSA Class 2A State Championships for the third year, finishing 10th.

■ WHS senior cross-country team leader Ishan Patel medaled at state as an individual, placing 12th (14:59.08).

■ A Woodstock co-op swimmer, senior Bella Borta (WNHS), qualified for the IHSA State Championship swim meet in the 50-yard freestyle.

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

■ The city of Woodstock was well represented at the IHSA Competitive Dance State Finals as teams from Woodstock and Woodstock North qualified. The teams supported each other, sharing a mutual bond through their coaches, who are good friends.

■ Marian had 12 wrestlers qualify for the IHSA Class 1A Individual Wrestling State Championships: Austin Hagevold (106), Andrew Alvaradeo (113), Josh Gawronski (120), Kaden Harman (126), Vance Williams (132), Nick Davidson (138), Charlie Fitzgerald (145), Ethan Struck (152), Max Astacio (160), Connor Cassels (170), John Herff (220), and Kaleb Eckman (285). Four medaled: Williams, 2nd; Struck, 4th; Alvarado, 5th; Astacio, 5th.

ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED (as reported in The Independent)

We reported on standout sports highlights, including the following:

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SPORTS

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

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■ Several players signed to Division I college athletics. Marian: In January 2023, Hurricane junior Christian Bentancur announced his intent to play football for Clemson University. He recieved 38 offers. WHS: Sam Chapman, Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville (baseball); Hallie Steponaitis, Jacksonville University (volleyball).

■ Woodstock North’s Cesar Ortiz was named Kishwaukee River Conference Player of the Year for boys basketball.

■ Lady ’Canes basketall broke the school record for victories, winning 23.

■ Blue Streak Hallie Steponaitis was named KRC volleyball Player of the Year.

■ Woodstock North’s head basketball coach – a legend in Woodstock basketball – Dale Jandron was honored for his retirement in March. In May, his son Josh was named the new head coach.

■ Marian football player Hunter Birkhoff received the Chicago Bears Community High School All-Star Award.

■ Jennifer Tapia (WHS) and Declan Pivnicka (Marian) were recipients of the Chick Evans scholarship, a full four-year housing-and-tuition scholarship for golf caddies.

■ North softball standout Norah Mungle broke her own school record for doubles, with 42 as of April 15.

■ Marian freshman Abby Hill was named the 2023 Illinois Swimming Female Open Water Athlete of the Year at the Illinois Swimming Banquet.

■ Woodstock resident Jeff Schwartz set 81 new land-speed records at the East Coast Timing Association event in Blytheville, Ark. ■ Former Blue Streak boys co-op swimmer Quinn Cynor made the time trial cut in the 200m free, qualifying to attend the Olympic Trials to be held in June 2024.

■ The Woodstock co-op girls medley relay swim team (Jadyn Grismer, Addy Walker, Chloe Albrecht, Bella Borta) broke the co-op record at the Fox Valley Conference meet, finishing in 1:53.8.

■ Woodstock volleyball won the IHSA 3A Rockford Boylan Catholic Regional, the program’s first regional win in 16 years.

■ The Woodstock co-op girls wrestling team began its inaugural season.

■ Woodstock senior basketball player Spencer Cullum scored his 1,000th career point.

■ Woodstock resident and The Woodstock Independent columnist Meg Ivers qualified for and competed in the Ironman Triathlon World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

Hallie Steponaitis

Cesar Ortiz

Norah Mungle

Tyler Ward - basketball

Ukranian native Amina Idris

TOP FEATURES

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTOS AND COURTESY PHOTOS

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GIRLS BASKETBALL ■ Dec. 19 – Woodstock North (5-8) fell to Wauconda 45-28.

■ Dec. 19 – Marian defeated DeKalb 43-22 in the Northern Illinois Holiday Classic.

■ Dec. 20 – Woodstock (6-6) fell to Grayslake Central 66-33.

■ Dec. 21 – Marian (13-2) defeated Crystal Lake Central 56-54 to win the Northern Illinois Holiday Classic tournament.

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SPORTS

■ WHS track and field athlete Amina Idris experienced the joys of high school sports after she and her mother fled for their lives from war in Ukraine.

■ Woodstock Dolphins Swim Team celebrated 60 years of fun.

■ Former City Councilman Joe Starzynski prepared for his 15th CowazLUNGa fundraising bike tour.

■ Woodstock North senior Landan Creighton and his brother Braelan teamed up to compete in National Little Britches Rodeo Association ribbon roping.

■ Cainen Clemons, Woodstock, drove the Isabel’s Family Restaurant racecar in the sportsman division at short track raceways in Wisconsin.

■ Woodstock native Erik Tonge came home with his dog Jess Lea Tonge to defend her rankng as the fastest English setter in the country.

■ Marian golf team sisters Ella and Nina Notaro grew up in a golfing family.

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

Dolphin swimmer Ca mryn Kriegel

Tyler Ward, a senior at Woodstock North High School, is averaging 12.9 points and 2.9 blocks per game. He also has achieved a double-double (points/rebounds) in the last four games.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

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Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2024

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

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