Woodstock Independent 3/13/24

The Woodstock

NDEPENDENT

Nonprofit arts studio opens second site in Woodstock

PAGE 10

New auto service in town promises it’s a ‘say yes’ shop

PAGE 12

Woodstock Food Pantry looking for bigger quarters

PAGE 22

New Square security at ‘square one’

By Larry Lough LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Placing two cameras to keep an eye on Main and Benton streets in the downtown is just the beginning of the Woodstock Police Department plan to improve security around the Square.

“We started this project seven years ago,” Lieb told the City Council last week. “We’re still not there yet as far as

the right solution.”

At Lieb’s request, the council approved the purchase of two security cameras to monitor activity on what Lieb called “two of the most socially active public streets in Woodstock.” The $85,000 expense will include installation and the first year of a fiveyear maintenance agreement.

The cameras are being added as police have noticed an increase in

PRIMARY ELECTION 2024

“inappropriate or criminal behavior” in that area, especially when large crowds gather, Lieb wrote in a staff report.

“It is becoming clear that video evidence, in both the investigation phase and prosecution phase, is becoming much more of an expectation than an exception,” Lieb wrote in the report.

The chief noted that his officers had

See CAMERAS, Page 3

By Eileen Millard NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Voters will decide next week how mental health services in McHenry County will be funded.

A referendum question on the March 19 primary election ballot will allow voters to decide whether funding should continue to come solely by property taxes, or whether it should change to a new one-quarter percent

increase in the county’s retail sales tax.

That would mean a consumer would pay an additional 25 cents in sales tax for every $100 of tangible personal property bought at retail. This sales tax would take effect July 1 and would remove about $11 million from the property tax levy now allocated for the Mental Health Board, effective Nov. 30.

County government Administrator Peter Austin said rising costs for

mental health services have put the county in a difficult situation.

“This county board wants so much to help people with mental health service needs, but they also want so much to protect the taxpayer,” Austin said.

Revenue from the sales tax would likely rise year after year, commensurate with spending, he noted, but to get the same kind of increase in funding from property taxes means that

INDEPENDENT

Vote by mail boosts early turnout

By Larry Lough LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Even an election with more ballot vacancies than contested races is not enough to deter the most committed voters.

As of last Wednesday afternoon – 13 days before Election Day – more than 7,400 people had already voted in the March 19 primary election, McHenry County Clerk Joe Tirio reported.

Joe Tirio

That number included 5,664 voteby-mail ballots received and 1,771 early voters, who had to cast their ballots at the clerk’s office in Woodstock before additional sites around the county were added on Monday last week.

The Democratic ballot in Woodstock has contests only for president and 11th District Congress. Only the presidential primary, 11th Congressional District, and County Board District 7 are

ELECTION

Continued from Page 1

property owners would foot the bill.

But it’s a referendum on how mental health services in McHenry County should be funded, because removing the property tax levy would have little impact on a property owner’s tax bill.

Sales tax expected to grow

Spending on mental health has been flat from fiscal year 2013 to fiscal year 2023, for the most part staying in the $10 million range, Deputy Administrator Scott Hartman said. The county property tax levy, over that same period, has dropped from $78 million to $71 million, he added. That, factored with service provider wages rising over the years because of inflation, means that more revenue is needed to maintain the level of care.

“I don’t think it’s that we are providing more services than we were 10 years ago,” Austin added. “I think we are struggling to keep pace. Even to do the same as before, it costs more money.”

The referendum seeks to move the funding for mental health from only property owners to anyone who shops in McHenry County, including people who live outside the county, Austin said.

contested on the Republican ballot. Although turnout is expected to be low, about 100 voting sites in McHenry County will be fully staffed from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. election, Tirio said.

The vote-counting software was tested throughout the installation process, Tirio said, with a final test conducted last Thursday.

“It’s been tested so many times,” he said, “it would make your head spin.”

Not much more Nov. 5

Come November, local voters will see contested races for Illinois House District 63, which includes Woodstock, and County Board chairperson. In both cases, Republican incumbents are being challenged by a lone Democrat.

According to an analysis by Capitol News Illinois, 88 percent of judicial and state legislative primaries have either a single candidate or no one running at all, the highest number of uncompetitive primaries for those seats in at least 20 years.

Low-profile campaign

Besides yard signs strategically placed around town, little evidence of

“Our economy has grown, …” Hartman added. “We have wonderful spaces that people come to visit, and their dollars are going to be contributing to fund McHenry County Mental Health Board services.”

Austin said that projected sales tax funding should easily be more than the current $11 million levy for mental health services. He based that on an analysis of retail sales tax revenue over recent years.

“When we say we think it will generate between $12 million and $13 million, we do it with absolute confidence,” Austin said. “The county is growing; inflation is still high; it could eclipse $14 million by this time next year.”

Effect on 2025 tax bill

If the referendum passes, the $11 million mental health part of the county’s budget would go away and property owners would see that reflected on their 2025 tax bill on the line titled “McHenry County.”

Since the county levy amount will be smaller by about 15 percent, when the tax rate is applied to the that smaller levy, the county government share on a property tax bill will decrease at roughly the same percentage, Austin said.

Hartman added that tax bills always show last year’s tax and the current bill’s tax side-by-side on each line, so if

a campaign is obvious.

U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, running in the 11th District for an eighth two-year term in Congress, has supplemented his yard sign campaign with at least eight oversized postcards sent to local homes. As an incumbent, he has a huge advantage in name recognition and campaign cash.

The scientist is being challenged in the Democratic primary by civil rights attorney Qasim Rashid, who has several yard signs set up at the McHenry County Administration Building in Woodstock. He or a campaign aide also have made visits to Woodstock, notably amid the large crowds at Groundhog Days.

As he runs to the political left of moderate Foster, Rashid has issued frequent press releases and challenged Foster to several debates and joint appearances. As of last week, they had appeared at the same candidates night once, in Naperville.

Three Republicans are seeking their party’s nomination for that congressional seat: Jerry Evans and Susan Hathaway-Altman, who ran unsuccessfully in 2022, and O Kent Mercado.

the referendum passes, property owners will see the decrease there.

However, Austin and Scott noted that the percentage of savings from a passed referendum would apply only to the county government line on the tax bill, and not to the grand total at the bottom of the tax bill which includes levies for schools, municipalities, townships, and other local taxing units.

The county levy represents only about 6 percent of the tax bill for Woodstock residents. So removing the levy would not have a huge impact on a tax bill, less than 1 percent.

Spend it elsewhere?

Will tax money saved by taking mental health costs out of the county budget simply get spent on something else? Austin said that is legally not possible.

“As local governments construct their budgets this year, they know that the most they can increase their property tax [portion of the bill] is 3.4 percent,” he said. “The tax cap is 5 percent, or the CPI [Consumer Price Index], whichever is less. The CPI changes every year. We already know that this year, it is going to be 3.4 percent.”

The County Board has given voters a choice, Hartman said.

“It’s a choice on how they want to fund the mental health service,” he said. “… The voters are going to tell us.“

(Local Woodstock-area candidates)

DEMOCRATIC BALLOT

Congress

11th District

Bill Foster, Naperville – D

Rashid Qasim, Warrenville – D

Illinois General Assembly

House District 63

Mary Mahady – D

McHenry County County Circuit Clerk

No Democrat filed

County Coroner

No Democrat filed County Auditor

No Democrat filed State’s Attorney

No Democrat filed

County Board Chairman

Kelli Wegener – D

County Board

District 4

Brian Dean Meyers – D

District 7

Louisett ‘Lou’ Ness – D District 8

Dawn Milarski – D

REPUBLICAN BALLOT

Congress

11th District

Jerry Evans, Warrenville – R

Susan Hathaway-Altman, Geneva – R

O Kent Mercado, Bartlett – R

Illinois General Assembly House District 63

Steven Reick – R

McHenry County County Circuit Clerk

Katherine M. Keefe – R

County Coroner

Michael Rein – R County Auditor

Shannon Teresi – R

State’s Attorney

Patrick D. Kenneally – R County Board Chairman

Mike Buehler – R

County Board

District 4

Mike ‘Shorty’ Shorten – R District 7

Paul Thomas – R

Peter Suffield – R District 8

Tracie Von Bergen – R

REFERENDUM

“To pay for mental health purposes, shall McHenry County be authorized to impose an increase on its share of local sales tax by one-quarter (1/4) percent and discontinue the current property tax levy funding mental health services and the mental health board?” YES/NO

Continued from Page 1

investigated “several incidents in the Square area” where private businesses’ security cameras proved to be unreliable for producing evidence.

So, the city will buy its own equipment, placing one camera on the roof of the train station to watch Main Street, and the other on a streetlight pole on Church Street to watch North Benton in the area of several taverns and restaurants that make up the developing “entertainment district.”

Data from the cameras will be stored in equipment inside the train station for access by the police department to use in “incidents and investigations.”

“A lot of people won’t ever know they’re there,” Lieb said of the cameras.

Technical problems

The day after the council approved the cameras, Lieb said the security project for the downtown was at “square one.”

But some of the challenges that have delayed the wider project still need to be overcome, the chief said. Those include placing security equipment in a historically sensitive area to monitor the immediate area of the Square, as well as the technical problem of placing equipment to hold the huge

amount of data the cameras record.

Police had planned to install equipment to take advantage of T-Mobile’s proposal to place 5G antennas atop a Benton Street building directly across from the Park in the Square.

“When that got nixed,” Lieb said, “it eliminated our ability to transmit that data the way we wanted it to be.”

The chief said he had assigned Deputy Chief Ray Lanz to work with Dan McElmeel, the city’s director of information technology, on installation of the new cameras. The equipment and maintenance will be provided by Siemens Industry of Rolling Meadows,

with electrical and installation work by Associated Electric of Woodstock.

Lieb called it “a very high-quality system at a reasonable rate.”

Siemens was one of three vendors that were considered. The chief said no timetable had been established for installation as technical issues are dealt with.

As for more cameras around the Square, Lieb said the expense was an immediate obstacle.

“That’s a bridge too far right now,” he said.

During discussion by the council, Councilman Bob Seegers Jr. suggested

the city might seek reimbursement of security expenses from the bars along Main and Benton if they’re the principal cause of the mischief that needs to be monitored.

Develop Public Works site?

In other business last week, the council:

n Approved an inducement resolution to provide TIF funds as an incentive for Lynmar Group to pursue an as-yet-unidentified development of the city’s Public Works facility, 326 Washington St. The city’s 2019 Downtown Development Plan identified the property as the No. 3 “opportunity site” for development, specifically a “transit-oriented” project such as highdensity housing. The current Public Works facility is “undersized” for operations of the largest department in city government with 46 staff members, and city officials have proposed building a new facility elsewhere.

n Bought for $293,000 a roll-off truck with three roll-off tanks so that city can haul its own wet sludge from local wastewater treatment plants to a landfill. The city’s current contracts for hauling cost about $460,000 a year, so city officials expect to recoup the cost of the new equipment in about a year and save about $279,000 a year thereafter, according to a staff report from city utilities manager Mike Rousey.

Stacy

W ILLS T RUSTS E STATE P LANNING

Free Unlimited one time consultation

OBITUARIES

Martin (Marty) E. Metras, 77

Martin (Marty) Edward Metras 77, of Woodstock, passed away peacefully on Jan. 13, 2024.

Marty was born in Watervliet, Mich., in December of 1946, to Lawrence (Tom) and Esther (Jansen) Metras. He moved to Woodstock as a 7-year-old and never considered leaving.

would spend hours talking to friends and strangers. Marty was encouraged to walk the Camino de Santiago in Spain by his older brother, Mike. He walked the over 500-mile path and wrote a book about the experience. He loved the experience and was working hard to make it back to The Camino.

Marty was “The Doer of Things,” meaning if he conceived it, he’d do it no matter how unconventional, odd, or weird it may seem to others. He owned the first 1970s electric car, grew a mobile garden in his pickup truck bed, loved computers, technology, and trains. He worked at the Die Cast in Woodstock and at Knaack in Crystal Lake for years.

Martin (Marty) E. Metras

Marty loved talking to strangers so much that he might randomly sit next to a person in a café and have a conversation. In fact, that was how he met his best friend, Michelle Collen-Bidwell, of Woodstock’s Elite Warrior Training. Her personal training, dedication, and friendship helped prepare Marty for this trek across Spain and for health challenges later in life. “Everybody needs a Marty in their life,” was her well-known response when explaining their friendship.

Marty is preceded in death by parents, Tom and Esther Metras, and brothers, Micheal (Mike) and Matthew (Jake) Metras.

Marty started getting in shape by walking to the local Starbucks to get his grande blonde almond milk latte and

IN BRIEF

‘Swatting’ call evacuates

Old Courthouse Center

Woodstock Police evacuated the Old Courthouse Center Friday night after a threatening call that they blamed on “swatting,” which is a prank call to emergency services to bring armed police officers to a particular address.”

According to a news release, the regional dispatch center received a call about 7:25 p.m. from a male who said he was inside the building, where he planned to use explosives and a firearm.

Officers entered the building with rifles

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

Woodstock Police Department

■ Marquill J. Thompson, 25, Woodstock, was arrested Feb. 27 at Sheila Street and Seminary Avenue on charges of disregarding a stop sign, seat belt violation, possession of a

He is survived by sister, Marie Klapperich (Metras); brother, Maurice (Cork) Metras; and sisters, Marcia Grubb (Metras) and Madeline (Edie) Metras.

and protective shields to direct people outside before a thorough search found no threat. No one was injured.

Police asked that anyone with information about who committed the “senseless crime” to call WPD at 815-338-2131.

Coroner identifies victims in house fire near Union

Two men in their 70s died last week in a house fire in the 9600 block of Knolltop Road near Union.

McHenry County Coroner Michael Rein identified the victims as Eric Dettmer, 73, of Union and Mark Dodge, 71 of Campbell, N.Y.

controlled substance, and possession of cannabis by driver. Taken to jail. No bond. Court date March 21.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

Ambulance runs Feb. 29-March 6: 71

Fire runs

Structure fire: 1

Outside rubbish fire: 1

Excessive heat/scorching/no ignition: 1 Search for lost person: 1

Combustible spills/leaks: 1

Public service assistance: 8

Cover assignment/standby: 5

Dispatched/canceled en route: 3

Wrong location/no emergency found: 2

Steam/gas mistaken for smoke: 1

Unintentional system/detector: 5

Total: 100

the

Woodstock.

two-lane circular intersection, one of three planned as part of the project.

Route 47 work inches toward summer construction start

By Larry Lough LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Bids are expected to be received in June for the widening and improvements of Route 47 through Woodstock.

Mayor Mike Turner told City Council members last week the highway improvements from U.S. 14 to Route 120 were the “most pressing” issue in recent discussions with officials from the Illinois Department of

Transportation and the governor’s office. He, along with City Manager Roscoe Stelford and Councilman Gordie Tebo, traveled to Springfield for a day of talks with state officials as arranged by the city’s contract lobbying, Joyce Nardulli.

Among topics was the city’s share of the project for enhanced features such as landscaping and lighting, along with relocating utilities.

“It’s higher than we expected,”

Turner said, “and it’s higher than it was in September last year.”

Tebo said he believed the city was “a little bit misled” with an earlier state estimate of $3 million. He said the city was “blindsided” by the latest projection of $13 million.

But Turner said that wouldn’t halt the major rebuilding of the highway for the initial 2-mile stretch, though the city will continue to press the state for additional funds on the project

that, two years ago, was expected to cost $57 million.

“We’ll have to manage through it,” the mayor said.

Work is expected to last through two construction seasons on the first phase of the project, which includes traffic roundabouts at Lake Avenue, McConnell Road, and Judd Street. The second phase, which has not yet been funded, would extend improvements north of Route 120 to Charles Road.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

It’s about mental health funding, not taxes

Voters in Woodstock don’t have a lot of reasons to go to the polls in the primary election March 19.

That’s a good reason to apply (if you haven’t already) for a vote-by-mail ballot.

But you had better hurry. The deadline is Wednesday this week. So if your application isn’t already in the mail, you will need to take it to the county clerk’s office in the Administration Building, 667 Ware Road.

But while you’re there, you might as well take advantage of the early voting period, which runs through Monday.

While your ballot won’t have many (hardly any) political contests, there is a countywide referendum that deserves your attention.

The County Board has asked voters to answer this question:

“To pay for mental health purposes, shall McHenry County be authorized to impose an increase on its share of local sales tax by one-quarter (1/4) percent and discontinue the current property tax levy funding mental health services and the mental health board?”

It’s a simple yes-or-no question, but the proposition is not so simple.

The ballot question is followed by language to explain that the new sales tax, effective July 1, would cost a consumer an extra 25 cents on every $100 of retail purchases, except for groceries and medicines. Although Libertarians are skeptical, that sales tax would then remove the $11 million property tax levy that funds mental health services in the county budget, effective Nov. 30.

Reducing local property taxes, which are extraordinarily high around here, is an attractive proposal for property owners. And by replacing it with a sales tax would mean that county residents who do not pay property taxes and non-residents of the county would also help to fund local mental health services that benefit everyone in the community.

On the other hand, property taxes are a more stable source of revenue for funding government services. Sales tax income can fluctuate from year to year, based on the up-and-down cycle of the economy.

And eliminating the levy won’t have much effect on an individual property tax bill. The county government portion makes up only about 6 percent of the total bill.

For the city of Woodstock, sales taxes have been a steadily rising source of income in recent years, even » YOUR VIEW

Suggestion about city’s ‘clunky’ branding motto

“Classically Different, From Every Angle.”

“To pay for mental health purposes, shall McHenry County be authorized to impose an increase on its share of local sales tax by one-quarter (1/4) percent and discontinue the current property tax levy funding mental health services and the mental health board?”

March 19 ballot proposition to impose a 0.25 percent special retailers occupation tax for mental health purposes

exceeding expectations during the COVID-19 pandemic. And McHenry County is still experiencing a healthy suburban growth, residential and commercial, that promises to continue boosting sales tax revenue for local governments.

The County Board sees this as a good opportunity to meet the increasing need – in part because of greater awareness – for essential mental health services, which have been largely underfunded for years. It’s that thing people don’t like to talk about, though the problem is finally being understood.

But the referendum question won’t be easy to find. It’s at the very end of the ballot.

So, don’t get discouraged when scrolling through the political offices where Republicans will find only one candidate for county auditor, coroner, courts clerk, state’s attorney, and two judgeships. In those same offices, Democratic voters have no candidates. None filed.

And while Woodstock voters will have contests in November for County Board chairperson and state representative, only one candidate in each party will be on the partisan ballots for March 19. That’s not to say there are NO local contests.

In County Board District 7, which is mostly the city of Woodstock, two Republicans are seeking their party’s nomination for the right to challenge Democratic incumbent Louisett (Lou) Ness in

The Independent’s Feb. 28 editorial takes on Woodstock’s new motto, calling it “clunky.” I agree.

To me, the motto is word salad, a jumble of verbiage tossed up and landing in a heap of drivel. The misuse of “classically” is particularly abominable, leaving me to scratch my head and reach for the

November.

Paul Thomas and Peter Suffield have been running low-key campaigns for the GOP nomination. Ness, one of four Democrats on the 18-member County Board, won a two-year term in 2022 as the downsized (from 24 members) board reorganized and elected nine members to serve for only two years, ensuring staggered four-year terms going forward.

Both political parties on the ballot do have races for the presidential nomination, but those are considered to be over already.

In the 11th Congressional District, which includes Woodstock, Democratic incumbent Bill Foster has a primary challenger in long-shot Qasim Rashid, and the Republican ballot has three candidates: Jerry Evans and Susan Hathaway-Altman, who unsuccessfully sought the nomination in 2022, and O Kent Mercado.

But the Democratic super-majority in the Illinois General Assembly has successfully gerrymandered the state’s 17 congressional districts to protect incumbents (14 for Democrats, three for Republicans), and political analysts consider none of the 17 to be competitive. But experts have been wrong before – many times.

So, not a lot of reasons to vote in this election, but enough.

dictionary. I’m still clueless as to what the marketers are trying to say.

How about “Different From Every Angle”? It’s less clunky and still conjures up the many contradictions that define Woodstock: farmers market vs. Farm and Fleet, the charm of the Square vs. the detritus of Route 47, posh shops vs. video

game parlors, pickup trucks vs. luxury sedans, the homeless vs. the housed, to name a few.

Classically offended, from all corners,

Michael A. Rugh Woodstock

On the road again – Brazil

As I write, it’s March 8 – day 7 of a 12-day trip to Brazil. My traveling companions are my husband, Jim; my sister Nann; and 23 Midwestern landowners and farmers. We are a congenial group, eager to see agriculture in Brazil with our own eyes.

But before heading out into the country, we were tourists in Rio de Janeiro, enjoying Copacabana Beach on a Sunday afternoon with thousands of Brazilians who were relaxing under a sea of bright red, yellow, and green umbrellas and playing in the sand and surf. The more athletic beachgoers were bouncing soccer balls as if they were hacky sacks or playing beach volleyball.

We rode cable cars to Sugarloaf Mountain and went to the top of Corcovada Mountain to admire Rio’s Christ the Redeemer statue.

Then, we left Rio and flew to the state of Parana. A bit of background: Brazil is slightly larger in land area than the continental U.S., and Parana is equivalent in size to Illinois, Iowa, and Minnesota combined. Brazilian farmers compete with U.S. farmers in soybean, corn, and wheat productions. So, the farmers on the tour had signed on for a better understanding of their competition.

The trip was eye-opening for them and for me. We visited several corn, soybean, and wheat farms, and a dairy operation. There also were stops at a coffee farm and one that grew sugar cane.

• We sensed a true love of farming and entrepreneurial spirit among all of our hosts. Possibly, Brazil’s relative

newness to farming fuels some of their enthusiasm. Farming row crops is 100 years younger in Parana than in the Midwest.

• Nearly all of the farms we visited practice the no-till system of farming, and they plant cover crops. The grandfather of one of our hosts is credited with creating the no-till system of crop production – meaning the soil is not worked between crops. And cover crops are part of the threeand sometimes four-year crop rotations practiced by Parana farmers. A cover crop – often a grass or legume or mix of the two – helps prevent soil erosion between crops. The farmers on our tour were impressed by how much the two practices are used compared with the U.S.

• Farmers in Parana have a weather advantage over our Midwestern farmers. With Southern Hemisphere latitude similar to Florida’s Northern Hemisphere latitude, they average 2.3 crops a year compared with one crop for our Midwestern famers. Every field we passed had a crop in one stage of development or another. Soybean fields ready to harvest were next to newly planted corn. As we watched a field of corn being harvested, our host told us it would be planted with a cover crop the next day.

• Conservation is paramount. Every landowner must set aside 20 percent of the farm as a reserve covered with native trees and vegetation, and streams and rivers must be bordered with green strips to prevent erosion. Native trees cannot be cut down, and wild animals cannot be killed.

• The land rolls and the fields are bordered by groves of trees, creating beautiful landscapes and spectacular views. Nowhere was there a flat field as one might see in central Illinois. Also, the fields along the highways and at the farms we visited were much larger than those in the U.S. breadbasket.

• We visited larger farms, 3,000 and 4,000 acres, but 85 percent of Parana farms are smaller, less than 150 acres.

I’m out of space, and I haven’t mentioned the use of biologicals or the graciousness of the people or their willingness to communicate though we couldn’t speak Portuguese.

Tomorrow, we will visit a cattle and hog farm and a hydroelectric plant. We will wrap up our tour Sunday by visiting Iguacu Falls.

Here’s my takeaway. I asked one of the farmers on our trip what he would say if one of his sons wanted to give Brazilian farming a try. He didn’t hesitate. “I’d say, go.”

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

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS

U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin

Chicago office

230 S. Dearborn St. Suite 3892

Chicago, IL 60604 312-353-4952

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth

Chicago office

230 S. Dearborn St. Suite 3900

Chicago, IL 60604 312-886-3506

U.S. Rep. Bill Foster

11th District Office

2000 W. Galena Blvd., Suite 303 Aurora, IL 60506 630-585-7672

Gov. J.B. Pritzker

Chicago office

James R. Thompson Center 100 W. Randolph St., 16-100 Chicago, IL 60601 312-814-2121

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

McHenry County Board

Chairman Michael Buehler 1630 Quail Way Crystal Lake, IL 60014 815-334-4224

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

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Cheryl Wormley Declarations

Schools

COLLEGE CURRENTS

Northern Michigan students on fall semester dean’s list

Four local students made the dean’s list for the fall 2023 semester at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Mich.

Students who qualified with a GPA of 4.00 were Robert Eschenbacher of Wonder Lake and Abigail Swan of Woodstock.

Students who qualified with a GPA of 3.5 to 3.99 were Johanna Freeman and Reid Kenyon.

Meadow Santiago has role in UW-Whitewater musical

Meadow Santiago from Woodstock, is one of many students involved in the production of “Pal Joey” at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, where she is a music major.

Santiago will play the role of Violin, as a part of the orchestra.

“Pal Joey” will be performed by UWWhitewater’s Department of Theatre and Dance in the Barnett Theatre Feb. 29-March 2.

Four local students make dean’s list at Bradley U.

Among the 1,850 students named to Bradley University’s dean’s list for fall 2023 are four local students who earned a GPA of at least 3.5.

They are Steven Sturm of Woodstock, Jade Herreweyers of Wonder Lake, and J.T. and Calvin Wormley of Bull Valley.

Cassandra Goudreau makes UI Springfield dean’s list

Cassandra Lynn Goudreau of Woodstock was among 681 students who made the dean’s list for fall semester 2023 at the University of Illinois Springfield. To qualify, a student must be an undergraduate who took at least eight graded semester hours and maintained a GPA of at least 3.75 for the semester.

Jason Thurow earns physics degree summa cum laude

Jason Thurow, a physics major from Woodstock, received a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude during commencement ceremonies in December at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, Mo.

He also was named to the honor list for the fall 2023 semester.

Filling Thunder Pantry

Woodstock North student service club project addresses food insecurity

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Members of the Thunder Service Club at Woodstock North High School place service to others as their priority, giving members the opportunity to develop leadership skills while serving fellow students and residents in the area.

“The students have volunteered for community events during the past several months,” club adviser Ina Hall said. Hall is the student attendance and truancy liaison at WNHS.

Last November, this club and the school recruited donors from among students and staff to donate blood at the Versiti Blood Drive. Later that month members helped in several ways at the Woodstock annual Christmas Parade by setting up, cleaning up, and passing out snacks to children at a “Cookies and Churros with Santa” event.

This coming summer the student club will assist the RISE Up Foundation at a large McHenry County music festival.

During March the service club turns its attention to fellow students by hosting a “Pop ’N Paint” fundraiser party from 6:45 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, March 20, in the WNHS cafeteria located at 3000 Raffel Road. The fee of $25 includes a can of pop and the materials to paint and complete a canvas under the direction of artist Holly Adkins of Primary Vision Arts.

“Thunder Service Club’s newest mission is ‘Thunder Pantry,’ which will use the funds raised for purchases of healthy snacks and water bottles for students experiencing hunger while at school,” Hall said. “The provided school breakfast and lunch are sometimes not enough. Food insecurity at home has unfortunately always been an issue, and since COVID those numbers have significantly increased.”

After the Woodstock Christmas parade in late November, Woodstock North Thunder Club members pose with a holiday appropriate Woodstock Willie. Students are (from left) Kylie Yencich, Paula Iglesias Ortiz, and Jen Asplund.

Fliers with a QR code for registration are available at the school. Registration for the event can also be done by emailing Adkins at primaryvisionarts@gmail.com. She will send a return message with a registration link that also includes an option to donate to the cause.

“Who can be their best student self and learn if they are hungry?” Hall asked. “It is our goal for the Thunder Pantry to be an ongoing mission for our club.”

COURTESY PHOTOS

Woodstock North students Alex Stroh and Brenner McDowell dis- tribute arts and crafts materials during the holidays at the chur- ros and cookies table for Thun- der Club.

BRIEFS

Good Citizens Awards go to three Woodstock students

Woodstock students won all three prizes in the DAR Good Citizens Awards.

Maggie Adams of Woodstock High School placed first; Clair Miranda of Woodstock North High School was second; and Samuel Hoover of Marian Central Catholic High School was third.

The students were honored March 3 during the Good Citizens Award Ceremony of Kishwaukee Trail Chapter NSDAR.

The chapter awards more than $5,000 in scholarships to 13 high schools in McHenry County. Each recipient has been selected based on dependability, service, leadership, and patriotism.

Circuit Court Judge Tiffany Davis and a DAR member shared their remarks regarding good citizenship.

WPBW expands Kuhn Scholarship awards to three women for 2024

Three $1,500 Frances Kuhn Scholarships will be awarded in 2024 rather than the two previously given each year.

The Woodstock Professional & Business Women’s will expand its scholarship program “in a bid to empower women in pursuit of their educational and career advancement goals,” according to a news release. Application deadline is April 15.

Sandra Pierce, who leads the

scholarship committee, attributed the additional stipend to successful fund raising efforts in 2023. The scholarship can be used to cover tuition and books but also extends support for additional expenses such as childcare and trans portation, Pierce said.

Applicants must be women at least 22, live within School District 200, and be working toward a certificate or degree. Applications and a complete list of qualifications are available at wpbw. org.

Anna Crenshaw, a senior at Woodstock High School, is the daughter of Julia and Brent Crenshaw of Woodstock. Her nominating teacher said Anna’s true love of learning and understanding complex content is unmatched. “She genuinely cares about not only putting forth her best effort on all assignments but on helping others to understand the material and find success.”

A high honor roll student, Anna is an Illinois State Scholar and a member of the Spanish Honor Society. A student athlete as well, Anna participates on the basket-

For more information, email Sandra Pierce at spierce@phoenixwoodworking.com or call 815-338-9338.

Law Day essay contest for middle school students

The McHenry County Bar Association invites middle school students to enter an essay contest in celebration of Law Day in May. Entry deadline is March 15.

Students are asked to write an original work reflecting on how should the election process be updated to match modern times and what needs to stay the same to protect democracy and the rule of law.

Winners of the top three essays will be recognized at a Law Day Ceremony May 3 at the Michael J. Sullivan Judicial Center, where they will be presented with a prize of $100 and a framed certificate of achievement.

For more information, call the Bar Association Office, 815-338-9559, or visit mchenrycountybar@gmail.com.

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COURTESY PHOTO

Winners of the DAR Good Citizens Awards are (from left) Maggie Adams, first; Clair Miranda, second; and Samuel Hoover, third

‘Build Community. Make Art.’

At Creative Arts, the only thing to bring is your creativity

By Lydia LaGue NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

A new place to let creativity shine has come to Woodstock.

Established in 2011 as a nonprofit studio, Creative Arts offers a variety of classes for children, teens, and adults to explore their passions. The studio started in the house behind the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake, offering 45 classes by 14 instructors. Classes include acrylic painting, crochet, stained glass, and drawing.

“Our mission is to provide exceptional art and quality instruction in order to build skills and explore art forms, while nurturing the creativity at all ability levels,” director Sam Sieber said.

Before Sieber, Scott Little was the director, and Sieber noted that it was Little who established the idea of a “sanctuary” for students and artists.

“The most important thing is all of the ability levels and making it really inclusive,” Sieber said. “We want everyone who walks in to feel good and say, ‘I can create art.’”

Donor funds expansion

Now, with the generosity of an anonymous donor, Creative Arts is able to expand its offerings to Woodstock.

“They saw us doing work for the community and offering this opportunity that was inclusive, and it inspired them to give us a donation for quality supplies,” Sieber said.

After the donor reached out this year to ask about the nonprofit’s needs, Sieber cited their need for more space, as many classes had waiting lists and it wanted to reach other communities.

“They said, ‘I’ll fund one year of rent at a facility so you can expand,’” Sieber said. “‘And you take it from there.’ I felt like it was a dream.”

The second studio is at 127 E. Calhoun St., just off the Square. When it came to choosing Woodstock for the expansion, Sieber knew that the city already had a “thriving art community” and recognized a need for this program. She noted that various students and instructors live in Woodstock, and the central location with

“Bring yourself and your creativity,” said Sam Sieber, director of the Creative Arts studio in Woodstock. “You don’t need anything else.”

ADA accessibility makes the classes even more inclusive and accessible for an entirely new community.

More classes, more access

Creative Arts also offers many scholarships for limited-income students at both locations. That

includes a year’s worth of free classes – some are funded by the Crystal Lake Lions Club, while others are funded by private individuals.

Additionally, the nonprofit works with businesses and members of the community to allow their students to showcase their works. This includes Anime and Things, Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, Marvin Toy Store, and various art shows, such as the Monarch Fair at Crystal Lake Main Beach in August, and the upcoming March Art Show at The Dole.

Classes in Woodstock began the first full week of March, starting with six to eight adult classes, and more being added later. Sieber anticipates that by April and May, kid and teen classes will be available.

Current classes being offered are stained glass, oil and acrylic painting, pen and ink drawing, and pastels. The studio hopes to add all of the variety of classes from Crystal

Lake in the future as well. Classes are offered during day, evening, and weekend hours. For people interested, registration is open online at creativeartsinc.org.

By the end of March, Creative Arts will have drop-in classes available in the evenings and on weekends for people curious about the program.

Regular pricing ranges from $65 to $175 for four-, six-, or eight-week classes that average a 1.5-hour runtime, and all supplies are included.

“Bring yourself and your creativity,” Sieber said. “You don’t need anything else.”

‘Fulfilling work environment’

An instructor of eight classes herself, Sieber loves “seeing my students faces light up when they get something,” and giving her students a chance to see their art on a physical piece. As the director, she commented on how kind and generous the community is.

“In McHenry County, people are giving from their hearts,” she said. She also had nothing but praise for her fellow instructors.

“It’s the most fulfilling work environment I can imagine; I get to interact with people who love art and love teaching,” she said, “They’re just wonderful people. It’s a treasure to know them and work with them, with their talents and kindness.”

As it looks forward to the future, Creative Arts reflects on the past, noting that it has added five to 10 classes a year in the past three years, especially after students have asked for specific types of classes. Former students are even coming back as instructors.

Sieber hopes that in the future, “We can make it an organic, selfsustaining nonprofit to give back to communities. I feel like we can offer more and more programs, and just continue that inclusive sanctuary where everyone is welcome. Scott built it; I’ll expand it. The director after me can make it even more beautiful. I hope it’s one of my kiddos.”

Ultimately, Sieber believes, “Our motto really sums us up in a nutshell: ‘Build Community. Make Art.’”

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER Instructor Kathy Jagman helps a student at Creative Arts, a new art studio at 127 E. Calhoun St. in Woodstock. It is a recent expansion of the nonprofit’s original studio in Crystal Lake.

BRIEFS

MCC Art Gallery features prints about migrant issues

“Nuestras Historias,” an exhibit by artist Juana Estrada Hernández, will be on display through March 22 in the Epping Gallery at McHenry County College.

In the exhibit, Estrada Hernández channels her experience growing up as an immigrant in the U.S. into print media to address political and social issues involving communities of Latinx migrants. Her newest works celebrate a dedication of both pride in and preservation of one’s culture as well as a refusal of assimilation and erasure.

Estrada Hernández received an MFA from the University of New Mexico in 2021 and is currently assistant professor of printmaking at Rhode Island School of Design. She has exhibited her work across the U.S. and internationally.

For more information, visit juanaseemyprints.weebly.com and her Instagram page @juanaseemyprints.

For more information on art exhibits at MCC, visit mchenry.edu/artgallery/ current.html.

St. Patrick’s Day Concert

Wednesday in MCC series

St. Patrick’s Day will be observed in a special performance of Irish music in a concert at 7 p.m.

Wednesday, March 13, in Luecht Auditorium at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. 14, Crystal Lake.

Performances from Pat Gaughan, Nancy Maio, and L.J. Slavin will provide vocal and instrumental music, including the mandolin, flute, and Irish pennywhistle. The trio will present a program of traditional Irish ballads, pub songs, and Irish dance tunes.

The McNulty Irish Dancers, a group of students from one of the largest, most active dance studios in the Midwest, will open the concert by performing some traditional Irish dances.

The concert is free and open to the public.

For more information about the MCC Concert Series, call Michael Hillstrom at 815-479-7814 or email mhillstrom@mchenry.edu.

MCC PHOTO

Juana Estrada Hernández, “La Cosecha (The Harvest),” 2022, lithograph

Business

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office Feb. 26 to 29.

.

■ Residence at 8718 Crystal Springs Road, Woodstock, was sold by Thomas M. Pruden, Summerfield, N.C., to Christopher T. Sergel III, Woodstock, for $980,000.

■ Residence at 2001 Castleshire Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Kimberly A. Goldberg, Garner, N.C., to Paul A. Krieg, Woodstock, for $200,000.

■ Residence at 2434 Fairview Circle, Woodstock, was sold by Caylee Elizabeth Bobula, Barrington, to Soren Mieritz Anderson, Woodstock, for $375,000.

■ Vacant land, approximately 1 acre, at 17604 U.S. Highway 14, Woodstock, was sold by John P. Henning, Marengo, to Winfried Bappert, Bartlett, for $20,000.

■ Residence at 1249 Mitchell St., Woodstock, was sold by The Hanson Family Trust, Spring Grove, to Brandon Hicks, Woodstock, for $250,000.

■ Vacant land at Lot 3, Southview Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Jean Louis Eerebout, Chicago, to Kilikia LLC, North Bay Village, Fla., for $13,000.

■ Residence at 1836 Sebastian Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Samantha A. Bowler, Woodstock, to Andrew D.Trocki, Woodstock, for $319,000.

■ Residence at 8417 Acorn Path, Wonder Lake, was sold by Greylee Properties LLC, Lake Zurich, to Alexandra Fritz, Wonder Lake, for $210,000.

■ Residence at 8534 Stillwater Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by CalAtlantic Group LLC, Schaumburg, to Kylie Nicole Barnes, Wonder Lake, for $229,900.

New car repair shop, long history

Marks Auto Service opens in old Merlin’s location

By Susan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

When Marks Auto Service owners Tad Butitta and Juan Sena wanted to expand their business eastward, they were not thinking of Woodstock.

But an available building at 1216 Davis Road, once the site of Merlin Complete Auto Care, and the highly visible location from busy Route 47 helped change their minds.

During the last week of January, Marks Auto Service opened, joining the company’s four other locations in Rockford, Loves Park, Belvidere, and Roscoe.

A ‘say yes’ shop

815.790.4852 (call or

Marks does all mechanical work on cars – brakes, engines, transmissions, tires – everything but body work, said Mike Intravaia, general

manager of the Woodstock location. So far, there’s not one particular type of repair that keeps the shop busy.

“Once people find out we do everything, we do everything,” he said.

When owners Butitta and Sena were scouting locations, they investigated whether Woodstock had car repair shops that could take a customer’s car right away and diagnose a problem.

Mike Intravaia

Marks Auto Service advertises itself as a “say yes” shop, Intravaia said.

If a customer drives in and asks whether someone could have a look at the vehicle, the answer is “yes,” he

said.

“The speed of our technicians and the speed of our service,” are two things that set Marks Auto Service apart, Intravaia said.

Additionally, he said, the company can provide a customer with a loaner vehicle while his or her car is being repaired. Finally, Marks offers a five-year, 50,000-mile warranty on its parts and labor.

Going back to 1949

The company got its start as Rockford Radiator in 1949. When the next generation took over, Rockford Radiator gave birth to two separate car repair businesses. Mark Butitta Auto eventually changed its name to Marks Auto Service to avoid confusion with the other Butitta shop.

Intravaia has worked for Marks for nearly nine years after a career

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Mechanic Robert Zielinski works on an SUV at Marks Auto Service, which recently opened in the former Merlin Complete Auto Care shop on Davis Road in Woodstock.

that has included stints in law enforcement and in his family’s restaurants.

At a “buy here, pay here” dealership where Intravaia worked, Marks Auto Service evaluated the cars that the dealership acquired as tradeins. Then-owner Mark Buttita tried to recruit Intravaia to come work for him. Eventually, Intravaia joined the business, starting as a service adviser.

The company keeps the price of its oil changes low, part of a philosophy, Intravaia said, that “if we can help people with their regular maintenance, more people will trust us with their bigger repairs.”

“I love working for a company like that,” he said.

Grand opening in spring

Marks Auto Service in Woodstock has seven bays to work on customers’ cars, about half the size of the Rockford shop. Five employees are currently on-site in Woodstock; that number will grow to seven or eight, Intravaia said.

Marks Auto Service takes advantage of quarterly training that its vendors offer for technicians, Intravaia said. In addition, the company has begun holding monthly training

sessions for its techs, tapping Marks employees’ expertise. If one is particularly good at diagnosing and fixing electrical problems, for example, that tech becomes the instructor for everyone else.

When warmer weather arrives in late spring or early summer, the shop will hold a grand opening.

Although Intravaia drives to Woodstock every day from west of Rockford, he’s happy to do so,

appreciating Woodstock’s smalltown atmosphere and that “everyone is friendly.”

“Other than the drive,” he said, “it’s like a vacation for me.”

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Marks Auto Service opened at the end of January in the former Merlin Complete Auto Care location at 1216 Davis Road.

Community

Feeding people in need

Woodstock Food Pantry looking for larger space to store, process goods

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Board members and volunteers of the Woodstock Food Pantry acknowledge the community’s ongoing support, reporting 2023 food donations of nearly 76,000 pounds and monetary donations of nearly $95,000.

That allowed the pantry to serve 11,485 people through the last calendar year.

In fact, the pantry is so successful it has outgrown its space at the Dorr Township building.

“We appreciate [the community’s] support, which allows us to provide food assistance for our friends in need,” pantry President Bruce Thacker said. “All donations of money or food come from private sources.”

Board members represent the following Woodstock churches: Free Methodist, First Presbyterian, First United Methodist, Grace Lutheran, St. John Lutheran, St. Mary Catholic, St. Patrick Catholic, and St. Ann’s Episcopal. Local churches established the pantry in 1979.

The food sources are varied. Individuals drop off bags of shelf-stable goods on a regular basis during open hours. Annual food drives are conducted by school groups, Boy and Girl Scout troops, civic clubs, and businesses. Major food drives are held by Boy Scouts, Menards, and the U.S. Postal Service each spring. Local stores such as Panera, Aldi’s, Walmart, and Jewel are generous with ongoing food donations. McDonald’s sends frozen breakfast and lunch items each week.

Food bank serves pantry

In addition, the pantry uses cash donations to buy food from the Northern Illinois Food Bank, a nonprofit organization that provides food at greatly reduced rates to pantries serving people in need in 13 counties in northern Illinois. A $1 donation to the pantry provides for the purchase from the food bank of the equivalent of $8 worth of

communications needs.

One behind-the-scenes group has been especially dedicated. A group of men meets the monthly food bank delivery semitrailer at the pantry’s site, where they unload and put away the large delivery. All are retired men who are doing the heavy lifting themselves.

The pantry also added a valuable new service in the past two years. A monthly diaper distribution for children and adults takes place on the first Wednesday of each month at First Presbyterian Church. Members of the congregation oversee the outreach as the pantry itself has no room to store the diapers.

Dorr Township and Supervisor Sue Brokaw host the food distribution and the work in the back of its building on Lake Avenue.

Larger facility needed

However, the pantry has reached the point of having too little space for the inventory required for its clients. During the next two years, the board will explore opportunities to buy or rent a facility or seek land available to build a facility to meet the increasing needs.

“The best part of this operation is the efforts of the many devoted volunteers giving of themselves in all of the tasks involved,” Thacker said. “It is through the tireless efforts of the ‘behind the scenes’ people that make this pantry work.”

In addition to Thacker, the officers are Carolyn O’Leary, first vice president; Charlotte Scholpp, second vice president; Karen Haug, secretary; and Terry Kniola, treasurer.

groceries.

“Our average monthly NIFB order in 2022 was 4,420 pounds,” Reuter said. “Our average order for 2023 was 6,658 pounds each month, so about a 50 percent increase just last year.”

According to Judy Trost, pantry volunteer who keeps records of clients served, the pantry averaged 31 new clients each month in 2023

through November. The December distribution doubled to 72 new clients. That increase may likely continue.

The 80-plus volunteers provide many services to clients in addition to the front desk positions. Some pick up weekly donations from local stores. Others weigh, sort, and shelve food items. Several manage the website, emails, Facebook, and

Potential clients who live in School District 200 boundaries are invited to register at the pantry at 1033 Lake Ave. during open hours (MondayWednesday-Friday 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Identification and proof of address (utility bill, rent receipt, etc) are required on each visit.

For information or to volunteer, visit woodstockfoodpantry.org or call 815337-0375 or email wfpemail1@gmail. com.

These volunteers unload the large Northern Illinois Food Bank truck each month at the food pantry. They are (from left) Mike Phillips, Scott Hastings, Bob Pierce, Jim Liebetrau, Dave Soderstrom, Corky Metras, and Tony Casalino. Not pictured are Mike Hallisy, Hans Rokus, Dave Dohm, and Bruce Thacker.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Woodstock Food Pantry volunteers Bob Pierce and Corky Metras load food items into a freezer at the Dorr Township building on Lake Avenue.

Light pollution means we see fewer fireflies

By Izzy Murawski

Fireflies, or lightning bugs, once appeared by the thousands in beautiful, glittering displays – a catalyst for magical June nights. This magic, though, is fading as excessive artificial light impedes fireflies’ reproduction rates.

of flashes, will signal his search for a mate. A female may respond with her own unique flash pattern. This allows them to find each other and mate. Eventually, when the female lays eggs, they may also glow to make predators aware of their unpleasant flavor.

their circadian rhythms, preventing them from mating because it still seems like daytime. Fireflies may wait for conditions to be perfect and never end up mating, which is detrimental to population numbers.

More than 2,000 species of fireflies exist, around 20 of which call Illinois home. The most common type in McHenry County – usually found near woods, in open fields, or in your backyard – is Photinus pyralis, also known as the big dipper firefly. These little guys communicate by flashing their bioluminescent abdomens, emitting the small sparks of light that Illinoisans know and love.

As pretty as fireflies’ glow is, this mechanic also plays a vital role in the survival of the species that live in Illinois. A male, using a unique pattern

Unfortunately, the better the light technology humans invent, the worse fireflies are affected. The Earth’s daily cycles of light have always regulated the lives of living organisms. They, after all, are the reason humans get tired at night! Humans know that nighttime, even filled with street lamps, high beams, and porch lights, is still nighttime. But other creatures, like fireflies, do not have this privilege of being able to distinguish artificial light from natural light.

Artificial light disrupts fireflies’ mating rituals. Outside light sources can, as expected, obstruct a male firefly’s detection of a female’s signal. Studies have shown, however, there is more to it than that. In bright conditions, even when two possible mates find each other, neither has any interest. Fireflies naturally mate when it’s dark out. Artificial light throws off

Although firefly populations are known to be decreasing, they are not protected by the Endangered Species Act. However, a local municipality has stepped up to help keep the bioluminescent beetles around to light up the next generation’s summer nights. The village of Bull Valley passed an Outdoor Lighting Ordinance to limit light pollution. The village code draws from a sample ordinance from the International Dark Sky Association.

So, what can you do to help? First and foremost, attend your town’s meetings and tell your elected officials you want a Dark Sky Ordinance and that they may use a sample from the International Dark Sky Association as an outline. That is the best way for you to make the biggest impact possible.

As far as individual steps you can take, it’s important to shut your lights off whenever you can. Ideally, all

outdoor lighting would remain off during the night, but you can at least dim them or install motion sensors to reduce your total light emission. Pointing them toward the ground or at your house would also help keep the sky dark. If you cannot remove your outdoor lighting altogether, avoid blue and yellow lights. Blue light can disrupt both humans’ and fireflies’ circadian rhythms, and yellow light is extremely harmful to the reproduction patterns of fireflies because shades of yellow mimic their own glow. Instead, opt for a dimmer, redder bulb.

Lastly, visit darksky.org/resources/ guides-and-how-tos/lighting-ordinances/ and check out the Defenders’ Best Management Practice Talk on the topic at youtu.be/87DU1qpMrj Y?si=dxUzrOnZ9H73JbPS, where you will find more information and steps on how to advocate for a light ordinance near you to help reignite Illinois’ firefly light shows.

Izzy Murawski is a Prairie Ridge High School student who is a micro intern for the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, which writes a regular column for The Independent

PICTURE THIS

The McHenry County Historical Society’s Museum, located at 6422 Main St., Union, reopens for the season March 16. Last year, the McHenry County Historical Society celebrated 60 years of collecting, preserving, and sharing its county’s history with the public. To commemorate this anniversary, our featured exhibit, “60 Years, 60 Objects: Stories from McHenry County,” remains on display through October 2024. This exhibit highlights sixty objects from the historical society’s collection to tell the story of McHenry County. Museum hours are Tuesday- Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please visit mchenrycountyhistory.org for more information.

Looking north on Dean Street in the early 1960s, note the presence of traffic lights. The Opera House (without its cupola) is visible in the distance as well as the Woodstock Autolite water tower.

Don Peasley Photo Collection, McHenry County Historical Society

Environmental Defenders

The Green Scene

Public survey for city parks Master Plan now online

By Eileen Millard NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Woodstock residents who want to share their thoughts and preferences about Woodstock’s upcoming 10-year Parks Master Plan can do so by taking an online survey.

The survey is available at woodstockil.gov/996/Parks-Master-Plan

A link is also available on the city of Woodstock Facebook page. The survey will be open until April 26 .

“This plan will include a community vision and strategies for action to direct the next 10 years of investments, programs, and care of the city’s recreation offerings,” the web page says. “Your input is critical to ensure this plan reflects community values, needs and opportunities. These points of input will be used to craft and evaluate plan goals and recommendations.”

Need for 10-year plan

The web page also explains the need for a Parks Master Plan.

“A master plan sets a vision for a park system, individual parks, open space area, recreation facility, or programs in context of its location, natural resources, and community vision,” it says. “The master plan guides the delivery of parks and recreation services, programs, and

EARLY CASH

activities in a manner that is consistent with a local government’s comprehensive plan and policy agenda. ... It serves as a framework for the long-term use and development of a park or facility and provides policy direction for local decision makers.”

Voice your preferences

The survey starts by asking respondents what parks and facilities they use and what kinds of projects they want prioritized.

Residents are also asked to comment on anything that currently hinders them from enjoying parks and facilities, such as lack of

programming information; parking issues; accessibility; lack of shade; safety concerns; park overcrowding; lack of washroom facilities; and the condition of the park or facility.

Respondents can also rank their favorite activities and say whether their needs are being met in areas such as sports; wellness; wildlife; special events; arts and festivals; playgrounds; pools; skate parks; sports fields; and gathering places.

There is also a place to prioritize an action list for the next five years for activities such as accessibility, basic maintenance, new structures and facilities, and building new parks,

‘Big Ideas’

The survey also includes a section asking where respondents see the parks system in 25 years, with multiple choice answers such as having a “destination park” to promote economic development, or having a “high-quality and connected system of greenways and other bike/pedestrian amenities (paved trails) for getting around.”

Toward the end of the survey, a blank space is provided, asking, “Do you have a Big Idea(s) for the future of parks and recreation in Woodstock?”

Park in the Square

In December 2023, a virtual focus group meeting was held about the Park in the Square, with topics including needed maintenance for two of the park’s main features, the Bandstand and the Spring House. The meeting also raised the possibility of moving those two structures within the park, as well as the Civil War memorial statue.

While the Parks Master Plan survey has no specific place to comment on changes for the Park in the Square, an open-ended question at the end of the survey allows comments about anything not brought up in the survey, “Please share any other thoughts or comments.”

Public sessions to come

Public input will also include one or more public meetings. Woodstock administrative analyst Nicole Lewakowski replied by email that the community workshops are not finalized.

“We think there will be two, one being specifically for youth,” she wrote. “We are aiming to host at least the youth workshop before school dismisses for summer.”

Lewakowski added that it was not yet known whether any paper surveys will be available.

Lee Orenstein of Woodstock and Graham Svoboda of Richmond were $500 winners in the Rotary Club’s “early bird” drawing at Offsides Bar & Grill. The third early drawing is scheduled at 6:30 p.m. April 5 at Sofie’s Whiskey & Wine before the grand prize drawing for a new Jeep or $40,000 cash at 6:30 p.m. May 24 at Kishwaukee Brewing Co. Pictured at the Offsides drawing are Rotarians Tom McGrath and Tom Nierman, along with Maria Kordo from Offsides, who drew the winning tickets. Only 1,000 tickets will be sold at $100 each.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Bates Park and other smaller city parks will be part of a Master Plan.

BRIEFS

Educator of the Year nominations due April 1

Nominations are due by April 1 for the annual Educator of the Year awards presented by the McHenry County Regional Office of Education.

Parents, students, colleagues and the public are invited to nominate teachers, administrators, and support staff for the awards, granted in partnership with the Community Foundation for McHenry County.

Nominations can be made in nine categories: preschool teacher, elementary school teacher, middle school teacher, high school teacher, administrator, student support personnel, early career educator, private/ parochial school employee, and educational service personnel.

The nomination form and instructions can be found at mchenrycountyil.gov/departments/schools-roe.

Nominees and winners will be honored at the Educator of the Year dinner Saturday, May 11. Nominees must attend the banquet to be eligible to win.

Sponsorships to help cover the cost of the event are being sought. Call 815-334-4055 or email DKHartmann@mchenrycountyil.gov.

Local police on special traffic enforcement over St. Patrick’s weekend

Stepped-up traffic safety enforcement has begun by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office ahead of St. Patrick’s Day this coming weekend.

Deputies are teaming up with the Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Transportation in looking for alcohol- and cannabisimpaired drivers as well as violations of seat belt laws, speeding, and distracted driving.

In a news release, the sheriff’s office reported 272 lives were lost in drunk-driving crashes over the St. Patrick’s Day holiday between 2017 and 2021.

The St. Patrick’s Day enforcement campaign is funded by federal traffic safety funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by IDOT.

DOUBLE CELEBRATION

GOODASNEW!

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER Artisans on Main, the store of the Clayworkers’ Guild of Illinois, celebrates the second anniversary of its store in Woodstock along with the 45th year anniversary of the guild. Pictured enjoying snacks at the March 1 observance are (from left) Rick Bellairs, John Hegner, guild President Anne Marie Lenzini, and local sculptor Bobby Joe Scribner.

Happenings calendar

14 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

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

16 SATURDAY

INDOOR WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

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

SHAMROCKED STREET FESTIVAL

219 N. Benton St.

Terry Byrne:, Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Interstate 90: 2 to 4 p.m.

Wild Fire: 5 to 7 p.m.

Bella Cain: 7 to 10 p.m.

DJ Marc Esses and Danny Vintage: 10 to 11 p.m.

$15

BOY BAND REVIEW

WoodstockOpera House

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

$50 VIP; $35 A seats; $25 B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

JAZZ NIGHT

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St. 8 p.m. woodstockoperahouse.com

17 SUNDAY

OPEN MIC STORYTELLING

Stage Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St. 2 to 4 p.m.

Hosted by Jim May

19 TUESDAY

DISTRICT 200 BOARD OF EDUCATION

Woodstock High School 501 W. South St. 7 p.m. woodstockschools.org

20 WEDNESDAY

MEMORY MAKERS STORYTELLING GROUP

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

21 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA

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

22 FRIDAY

ORIGINAL OPEN MIC NIGHT

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

‘BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY’ - A MOVIE SING-ALONG

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

$10 all seats

woodstockoperahouse.com

23 SATURDAY

A TRIBUTE TO THE RAT PACK

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

$43 all seats woodstockoperahouse.com

STAGE LEFT PRESENTS FEATURING AMY YORE

Stage Left Café

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

$10 woodstockoperahouse.com

26 TUESDAY

WOODSTOCK FIRE/RESCUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2900 Raffel Road 7 p.m.

28 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

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

woodstockoperahouse.com

29 FRIDAY JORDAN RAINER

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

$40 A seats, $35 B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

CINEMA SIPS - ‘THE PRINCESS BRIDE’

Stage Left Café

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

$10 woodstockoperahouse.com

30 SATURDAY

INDOOR WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

McHenry County Fairgrounds

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

EASTER EGGSTRAVAGANZA

Park in the Square 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

To submit calendar items, email pr@thewoodstockindependent.com

OPEN JAM

The Blue Lotus Buddhist Temple 221 Dean St 4 to 5 p.m.

31 SUNDAY EASTER APRIL

2 TUESDAY

WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL

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

4 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA

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

5 FRIDAY

CLAUDIA SCHMIDT

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

$20 offsquaremusic.org

MITCH ROSSELL

Woodstock Opera House

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

$35 A seats; $30 B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

6 SATURDAY

GENEALOGY RESEARCH ASSISTANCE

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

Kishwaukee Trail Chapter DAR 815-245-6944

CHICAGO COMEDY TAKEOVER

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St. 8:30 p.m.

$15 online, $20 at the door

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

THEATRE 121 - ‘STEEL MAGNOLIAS’

Woodstock Opera House

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

Adults: $26 A seats, $20 B seats

Seniors: $24 A seats, $18 B seats

Students: $16 A seats, $10 B seats woodstockoperahouse.com

FLASHBACKS

35 years ago – 1988

■ The Woodstock City Council approved the purchase of 12.6 acres of vacant land on Sunset Ridge Road near the Claussen Pickle plant to house Woodstock’s National Guard unit.

■ Eight St. Mary School students were invited to present their science fair projects at the regional science fair at Northern Illinois University. Advancing were Sheryl Hahn, K.C. Bell, Jim Bob Hume, Jim Glowacki, Lisa Brin, Kellie McGuire, Matt Sieck, and Joel Zarnstorff.

30 years ago – 1994

■ Friends of Woodstock Public Library started its “Babies and Books” program, which presented parents of newborns with an invitation to visit the library for a free copy of “Babies and Books, a Joyous Beginning.”

25 years ago – 1999

■ The first part of a five-part mural depicting Woodstock landmarks by artist Tom Trausch was installed at Home State Bank.

■ The Woodstock High School varsity boys basketball team, seeded 13th in the IHSA Rockford East Sectional, won its first regional championship in 13 years.

20 years ago – 2004

■ Greenwood Elementary School went all out celebrating the 100-year birthday of Dr. Seuss. Cafeteria Manager Louanna Paradowski and her staff even served real “Green Eggs and Ham” –in keeping with the Seuss book by that title.

■ Bob Thurow, outgoing board member and staff member of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was honored at the chamber’s annual awards dinner for his years of service.

■ Dr. Elli Emmons opened a new dental practice at 222 Main St. She had graduated from Northwestern University Dental School in 1998 and practiced general dentistry in Iowa and Chicago’s northwest suburbs for six years.

15 years ago – 2009

■ The Woodstock Independent staff had asked readers to nominate “worst road or street in The Independent’s coverage area. The first week of nominations included Davis Road from Steig Road to Dean Street; West Judd Street from

Hayward to Pleasant streets; and North Madison Street from Calhoun to Newell.

■ Northwood and Creekside middle school seventh-graders collected nearly 1,000 pounds of food for the Woodstock Food Pantry as part of their Gang Resistance Education and Training.

■ The Woodstock Fine Arts Association elected its 2009 officers: Carolyn Cox, president; Kris Hall, first vice president; Pam Djordjevich, second vice president; Tracy Cressy, recording secretary; Joyce Henrickson, corresponding secretary; Linda Kristensen, treasurer; and Jean Biddulph, budget director.

10 years ago – 2014

■ A team of five WHS students qualified to compete in the state math finals at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. Coached by math teachers Jai Sharma and Jeremy Bosell, the students included freshman Andrew Brewer, sophomore Kitt Garmisch, junior Dillon Nerland, and seniors Graham Ellinghausen and Joey Primus.

■ Ryland Homes was beginning construction in the previously abandoned subdivision The Sonatas, located off Ware Road. The Sonatas was the ninth

abandoned neighborhood Ryland had restarted in the Chicago area in the previous two years.

■ Five Woodstock North High School senior athletes signed letters of intent to play their respective sports in college. They were Jamie Huntley, baseball at Beloit College; Rachel Vela, softball at McHenry County College; Madison Bruchsaler, softball at MCC; Sierra Meiners, hockey at Finlandia University; and Jake Schnulle, baseball at Cardinal Stritch University.

5 years ago – 2019

■ The Woodstock North High School varsity boys basketball team made school history, winning the school’s first IHSA regional basketball championship with a 67-63 victory over Genoa-Kingston. Senior Ryan Shaffter led the scoring with 27 points, including six 3-pointers. Sophomore Cole Brey had 13, and senior Matt Fallow added 12,

was introduced as “the embodiment of involvement and community service.” Napoli Pizza was named Retailer of the Year. Entrepreneur of the Year was Cassandra Vohs-Demann of a Place to Shine Music.

■ Northwood Middle School seventhgrader Bob Gerloff was headed to the 2019 Scripps National Spelling Bee in National Harbor, Md. Bob bested 11 area students to become the McHenry County Spelling Bee Champion. It was Bob’s second appearance in the countywide event. He also competed as a fifth-grader.

1 year ago – 2023

■ Sweet Reds Patisserie and Café had its grand opening, bringing a bakery back into the 100 block of North Benton Street on the Square.

■ Woodstock’s plan for an inclusive playground with an intergenerational focus received a boost with a $600,000

cus. Brownies are (from left, first row) Cartier Konopka, Kasey Montot, Melissa Piske, and Ashley Kopec; (second row) Renee Thomas (leader), Amy Stoddard, Jennifer Weith, Courtney Melvin (who was

for

Grand Prize Game), Kendall Thomas, and Christina Fisher; (third row) Erin Fox, Nova Scott, Lindsey Gatz, Jessica Montoya, Shannon Friedel, Sue Piske (leader), Janine Weith (leader), and Jaclyn Weith. Maureen Kopec (leader) took the photo.

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

SOLUTION

ALYSSUM ASTER

AZALEA BEGONIA CARNATION

DAFFODIL

DAHLIA DAISY

WORD SEARCH

DANDELION

FLOWER IRIS

LEAVES LILY

MARIGOLD ORCHID PEONY

PETALS

POLLINATE ROSE

SNAPDRAGON STEM

TULIP

ZINNIA

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on

FEBRUARY 20, 2024 An Assumed

Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as IDLE MIKE located at 1008 HARROW GATE DR. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098.

Owner Name & Address: MICHAEL GUSTAFSON 1008 HARROW GATE DR. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098.

Dated: FEBRUARY 20, 2024

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent February 28, 2024, March 6, 2024, March 13, 2024)L11748

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND

JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2024PR000036

In the Matter of the Estate of MARY T.

MCFARLAND

Deceased

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of MARY T. MCFARLAND

Of: CRYSTAL LAKE, IL

Letters of office were issued on:

2/21/2024

To Representative:

ANTHONY C. SIGO

2301 HAYDN ST. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098

whose attorney is:

MICHLING LAW FIRM

101 N. THROOP ST. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098

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

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent February 28, 2024, March 6, 2024, March 13, 2024)L11749

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on FEBRUARY 28, 2024 An Assumed

Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as Chico’s Small Engine Repair located at 403 Airport Rd. Harvard, IL 60033. Owner

Name & Address: Andres Herrera

Diaz 1002 N. Jefferson St. Harvard, IL 60033.

Dated: FEBRUARY 28, 2024

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent March 6, 2024, March 13, 2024)L11750

PUBLIC NOTICE

TAX DEED NO. 2024TX000028

FILED February 26, 2024

TAKE NOTICE

TO: JOSEPH J. TIRIO, MCHENRY COUNTY CLERK; OCCUPANT; MARY NIEHOFF; UNKNOWN OWNERS OR PARTIES INTERESTED; AND NONRECORD CLAIMANTS.

This is NOTICE of the filing of the Petition for Tax Deed on the following described property:

Parcel 1: Lot 114 in Applewood Unit II

Re-Subdivision, being a Re-Subdivision of Out-Lot “K” in Applewood Unit I

Re-Subdivision, a Re-Subdivision of part of the East One Half of the Northwest Quarter and the Southwest One Quarter of Section 15, Township 44 North, Range 7, East of the Third Principal Meridian, according to the plat thereof recorded October 22, 1991, as Document No. 91-R40613, in McHenry County, Illinois;

Parcel 2: Easement for Ingress and Egress as set forth in Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements recorded 12/20/91 as Document No. 91R49380 in McHenry County, Illinois.

Parcel Index Number 13-15-176-082

On July 15, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., Courtroom 202 the Petitioner intends to make application for an order on the petition that a Tax Deed be issued. The real estate was sold on November 1, 2021 for general taxes of the year 2020. The period of redemption will expire July 8, 2024.

Heather Ottenfeld, Attorney for Petitioner

(847) 721-4996

Cert. # 2020-00614

(Published in The Woodstock Independent March 6, 2024, March 13, 2024)L11751

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 be an online auction via www. storageTreasures.com on 3/25/2024 at 9:30 am. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents is household goods and furnishings. Hans Labude Unit #926; Ed Delli Unit #717; Keri Smith Unit #930; Ivy Sagrado Unit #214. 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

PUBLIC NOTICES

apply. See manager for details.

(Published in The Woodstock Independent March 6, 2024, March 13, 2024)L11752

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Self-Storage Sale

Please notice Red Dot Storage 78Woodstock located at 740 Washington Rd., Woodstock, IL 60098 intends to hold an auction of the goods stored in the following unit in default for non-payment of rent. The sale will occur as an online auction via www. storageTreasures.com on 3/25/2024 at 9:30 AM. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents is household goods and furnishings. Lisa Derer Uni #079; Darby Brown Unit #099; Robert Birdsell Unit #123; Lakeia Graham Unit #260. 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 March 6, 2024, March 13, 2024)L11753

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on MARCH 1, 2024 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as BEST OF MEG located at 1610 ARQUILLA DR. ALGONQUIN, IL 60102. Owner

Name & Address: MEGAN HERRERA 1610 ARQUILLA DR. ALGONQUIN, IL 60102.

Dated: MARCH 1, 2024

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent March 13, 2024)L11757

PUBLIC NOTICE

SECTION

prospective bidders must provide all requested information when completing the download process in order that they will receive proper updates.

Construction Data Company (ConstructConnect) (800) 652-0008 www.cdcnews.com

Construction Market Data (ConstructConnect) (800) 424-3996

www.cmdgroup.com

Dodge Data &Analytics (877) 784-9556

www.construction.com

Greater Peoria Contractors &Suppliers Association (309) 692-5710 www.

gpcsa.org

iSqFt (ConstructConnect) (800) 3642059 www. isqft.com

Master Builders of Iowa (800) 362-2578

www.mbionline.com

Northern Illinois Building ContractorsAssociation (815) 229-5636

www.nibca.build

3. PREQUALIFICATION OF BIDDERS:

All bidders will submit a resume of similar projects performed, enumerated as to location, type of work, approximate completion date, and project engineering/architectural firm. Additionally, all bidders will submit a list of equipment owned by, or available to them, for the efficient pursuance of the project.

4. WAGES OF EMPLOYEES: Not less than the prevailing rate of wages as found by the Department of Labor or determined by a court on review shall be paid to all laborers, workers and mechanics performing work under this contract. Certified payroll requirements will apply.

5. REJECTION OF BIDS: The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids and bidders and to waive technicalities.

6. LOCATION OF THE WORK:

Woodstock High School 501 W South St Woodstock , IL 60098

Woodstock North High School 3000 Raffel Road Woodstock , IL 60098

7. DESCRIPTION OF WORK:

This project includes tennis court replacement at Woodstock High School and Woodstock North High School.

8. BID SECURITY: Bid security in the form of a Bid Bond or Certified Check for ten percent (10%) of the base bid made payable to the Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 shall accompany the bid.

9. OWNER: Woodstock Community Unit School District 200, 2990 Raffel Road, Woodstock, Illinois 60098.

11. PREBID MEETING: A nonmandatory prebid meeting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. on March 18, 2024 at Woodstock North High School, 3000 Raffel Road, Woodstock, IL 60098. Contractors are to meet at the main entrance.

(Published in The Woodstock

Independent March 13, 2024)L11758

PUBLIC NOTICE

Before the City Council of the City of Woodstock

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN in compliance with State of Illinois Statutes that a Public Hearing will be held by the City Council of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois in connection with the approval of the FY2024/2025 City of Woodstock Municipal Budget. Copies of the proposed budget are available for inspection in the Office of the City Manager, 121 W. Calhoun Street, Woodstock, Illinois, or online at www. woodstockil.gov, which can be accessed at the Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd Street.

Said hearing will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers at Woodstock City Hall, located at 121 W. Calhoun Street, Woodstock, Illinois at which time and place any person desiring to be heard may be present.

Independent March 13, 2024)L11759

2.

10. CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE:

Construction is to begin on or after May 27, 2024 at both sites; Substantial Completion by August 2, 2024 at Woodstock High School and by August 30, 2024 at Woodstock North High School. Substantial Completion is defined as all improvements except punchlist items.

‘Building a dynasty’

Marian Central pep rally honors state champion wrestling team

By Julian Senn-Raemont NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Local teenage rock-band sensation Mixtape fireballed through Jimmy Eat World’s classic tune “The Middle” as classmates filed into Marian Central’s Landers gymnasium.

The drumswere booming and the guitars threatened to shake the school’s very foundation. Everyone was wearing baggy sweats and hoodies.

“Dress down day,” Marian Athletic Director Cody O’Neill said, offering a little insight as to why everyone appears so sleepy on this rainy, if celebratory, afternoon on Friday.

Pajamas be damned, they would not be weary for long, for everyone was out of class to commemorate Marian Central’s state championship wrestling team.

Once completely gathered in the stands, students played air-guitars and shouted the names of their favorite wrestlers, who stood outside Landers gymnasium awaiting their grand entrance.

Marian has never before won a

team state championship in wrestling. The etch-marks in history were not lost on the jittery crowd.

“This doesn’t happen all the time,” Woodstock Mayor Mike Turner said. “This is special.”

Each of the wrestlers was given the full boxing match introduction. Name, nickname, achievements on the team, and future prospects are announced with bombast, much to the amusement of those in the stands.

With the wrestlers gathered like royalty in the center of the gymnasium, the crowd gave one last round of applause for the champions, who sat nervously in their warm-ups, bouncing their legs and twiddling their thumbs.

Team captain “Mad” Max Astacio gave a rousing speech.

“We came, we saw, we conquered,” he said to the approving cries of his classmates. “We had the hardest schedule of any state program, and after all was said and done, we proved that we’re the baddest guys in the building.”

Everybody lost it, and what at first appeared like an enormous sleepover suddenly more closely

resembled a peppy assemblage. The Marian Central fight song hung proudly from red banners above the rowdy fanbase.

“Hail to the victors valiant Hail to the conquering heroes Hail, hail, to Marian

The champions of Midwest!”

Head Coach Jordan Blanton sat humbly behind the team, allowing for most of the attention to remain on the “conquering heroes”.

“It took every person you see on the floor here to make this happen,” Blanton said. “This is the start of something.”

Astacio agreed.

“We made a legacy, and now we’re building a dynasty,” he said. “For years to come, people will be scared to see the Marian jersey.”

“When we began this season,” Blanton continued, “we said we wanted to be the best show in town, which means that if anyone wants to see the greatest action, that it would be happening right here in Landers gymnasium.”

Applause, roars, and stomping slippers threw the gymnasium into a state of white hot cacophony. The noise only increased as O’Neill grabed the mic and said, “OK, you’re all dismissed!”

The weekend had come, Marian’s wrestling team brought a great win home for Woodstock, and Landers gymnasium was the best show in town.

Marian Central wrestling team cap tain “Mad” Max Astacio addresses the crowd at a pep assembly for the state championship team March 8 at the school.

The 2024 Class 1 A Wrestling State Championship trophy was proudly displayed at the pep rally.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER

KRC Player of the Year Boys Basketball SPENCER CULLUM

WOODSTOCK ALL-CONFERENCE

Boys Basketball

■ Sam Chapman

■ Spencer Cullum

Girls Basketball

■ Keira Bogott

■ Anna Crenshaw

■ Natalie Morrow

Boys Bowling

■ Max Haggerty

■ Noah Rodriguez

Girls Bowling

■ Lizzie Pilman Cheer

■ Veronica Baker

Boys Wrestling

■ Daniel Bychowski

■ Zach Canaday

Girls Wrestling

■ Sophie Sarabia

WOODSTOCK NORTH ALL-CONFERENCE

Boys Basketball

■ Tyler Ward

Girls Basketball

■ Addison Rishling ■ Caylin Stevens

Girls Bowling

Cheer

Boys Wrestling ■

Girls Wrestling ■

North’s Ellie Thurow is 3-1 early in the season for Coe College

Ellie Thurow, a Woodstock North graduate, rebounded from a loss very quickly.

Less than 24 hours to be exact. Thurow, who threw six innings in each of the games, was the pitcher of record in the 4-3 loss to Millikin University and the 12-4 win over the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.

In the loss, she allowed three earned runs on five hits. She walked seven and fanned three in the loss. In the win over Wisconsin-Eau Claire, she allowed four earned runs on seven hits. She did not walk a single batter and retired eight by fanning them.

Dan Chamness

The College Report

Thurow, who is a fifth-year player, is 3-1 on the hill thus far. Both of the games were at the Millikin University Invite in Decatur. Coe is 4-2 overall.

Nora Mungle (Woodstock North) got her first collegiate hit recently as her college team, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, defeated Edgewood College 5-4. She drove home one run in the contest, played in Peoria. The Wisconsin-Platteville Lady Pioneers are 6-0.

Wrestling

Dylan Connell (Marian Central Catholic) split his first two matches in the Big 10 Conference Tournament. The 184-pound wrestler, who wrestles for the University of Illinois, lost a 4-0 decision to Michigan State University’s Layne Makzewski. He would move to the consolation bracket and top University of Maryland’s Chase Mielnik 8-2.

Elon Rodriguez (Marian Central Catholic) topped St. Cloud State University’s Sam Spencer 13-9 in a dual meet between SCSU and his chosen school, the University of WisconsinParkside. The two wrestled an exhibition match at 133 pounds. Rodriguez is 12-5. In the team battle, the Wisconsin-Parkside Rangers lost a 27-6 battle to SCSU.

Co-op effort nets Blue Streaks permanent batting cages

By Sandy Kucharski NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

They say practice makes perfect. Blue Streaks baseball has upped its practice game this season with a pair of batting cages at Emricson Park, where the team practices and plays.

WHS athletic director Al Baker explained that the Streaks were able to score the new cages through a cooperative effort between the school, the city of Woodstock, and the Woodstock Backers Club.

The plan was pitched last spring when the WHS athletic department came by some discretionary funding. An agreement with the company that supplies uniforms and most of the other equipment to the high school provides a rebate at the end of the season that can be used toward certain items.

“Our baseball team plays on Dream Field at Emricson Park,” Baker said, “and [head baseball coach] Matt Prill had mentioned how useful a permanent batting cage out there would be for our baseball teams.”

Baker then reached out to Woodstock Mayor Mike Turner last year to see whether the city would be interested in working with WHS on the project.

“He was very enthusiastic about it and put me in touch with Chris Lynk [formerly of Woodstock Public Works],” Baker said.

Upon the Parks Commission approval of the addition, Lynk arranged labor to pour the concrete slab. The Woodstock High School Backers

COLLEGE

Continued from Page 23

Track

Peter Walsdorf (Marian Central Catholic) competed in two events at the Big 12 Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships. The University of Kansas harrier competed at the meet, which was hosted by Texas Tech University and held at the Sports Performance Center in Lubbock, Texas.

On Friday, he was 11th in the 5,000-meter run, finishing the indoor race in 14 minutes, 38.21 seconds. One day later, the Woodstock resident returned to compete in the 3,000-meter run, finishing in 8:18.77. Kansas took fourth with 81 points. Texas Tech won the 12-team meet on the men’s level, scoring 152 points.

Sophia Raymond (Woodstock), a Hope College thrower, finished 11th in the weight throw at the Aquinas College Invite. She recorded a toss of 41 feet, 4.25 inches. Hope College took third with 136.5 points. Aquinas won with 159 points.

Club agreed to cover additional costs for the batting cage that were not included in the rebate.

“It is important that our student-athletes have the equipment they need to be able to compete with other high school teams,” said Kristin Smith, president of the Backers Club.

Once the cage arrived, Woodstock D-200

JUNIOR THUNDER

Buildings and Grounds assembled it.

Woodstock teams will have use of the batting cage all spring, and it is available to other Woodstock teams during the summer and fall.

The Backers Club expressed gratefulness to the parents and community that support annual fundraisers held to help provide new equipment.

COURTESY PHOTO

Blue Streak baseball players practice in their new permanent batting cages located near Dream Field in Emricson Park.

Dan Chamness writes The College Report for The Independent.

COURTESY PHOTO

The Junior Thunder eighth-grade basketball team finished in second place in the 2024 Wauconda Classic March 10. Many of these boys will go on to play for the Woodstock North Thunder next year.

Pictured (from left): Coach Steve Stoltz, Logan Douglass, Brayden Stoltz, Carson Halihan, Easton Klesch, Ben Hendershot, Winn Howard, Frank Cohen, Emmett Newman, Curtis Czeslawski and coach Jason Cohen. Not pictured, Zach Niese.

Four athletes from Woodstock compete on the Northwest Gold high school figure skating team that competed March 10 at Crystal Ice House against teams from three states.

Carzoli (above and left) earned second place in PreBronze Solo pattern dance and first in Excel Intermediate Plus Free Skate.

She – and 40 other seniors – were presented flowers by the Skating Council of Illlinois.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Liam Hanson • Tennis

Liam Hanson is a four-year tennis player for Woodstock High School. He was a member of the 2023 KRC championship team, and his No.1 doubles team won the conference title, finished second at the sectional meet, and qualified for the state tournament.

Looking to continue his success in 2024, he has been working in the offseason, getting lessons at the Racquet Club of Crystal Lake and Lake Geneva Tennis.

deep run in the state tennis tournament.

Not only is Liam successful on the courts, but also in the classroom. He will be attending the University of Tennessee in the fall of 2024.

He is a team captain who leads by example, encouraging his teammates playing whatever position is needed to help the team. He has goals of winning conference, sectionals, and going on a Congratulations

Athlete of the Week!

Shylah Smith and the high team took first place overall.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Pictured (from left) are junior Reese Connor, freshman Rainn Connor, and senior Miabella Carzoli, all of which are homeschooled, and Woodstock High School freshman Shylah Smith.