Woodstock Independent 3/20/24

The Woodstock

BUSINESS

New deli coming to Cass; other downtown changes

PAGE 15

A&E

Trans-Farm-Ation promises unique concert experience

PAGE 13

COMMUNITY

Residents view, comment on plan for growth in Woodstock

PAGE 19

By Caryl Dierksen

“It’s all a gray area.” – Heather Brown Woodstock High School English teacher Heather Brown thought she had seen it all in her 32 years in the classroom. But she hadn’t.

Last school year some of her students began handing in papers that

she knew they had not written themselves. Over the years she had seen her share of assignments copied from Cliffs Notes or similar sources, as well as papers copied from other students. But this was a different way to cheat. Soon she learned that the suspicious papers had been “written” by students using Artificial Intelligence – AI – via the ChatGPT app.

FEELING FUZZY

Released in 2022, ChatGPT is an advanced AI tool that can conduct human-like conversations with its users. One of its many abilities is generating articles, papers, and emails on any given topic. A free version of ChatGPT is available to download. The website states that a child must be 13 to use it and that parental consent is

See AI, Page 2

‘Swatting’ spreads into Woodstock

By Julian Senn-Rarmont NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

The appetizers arrived just as police entered the Old Courthouse Center with protective shields and police rifles. Any unease at such a sudden influx of heavy police presence was soon dispelled by the officer’s tactical and professional execution as the complex was evacuated.

“The police did a really good job,”

said an employee of one of the many shops and restaurants in the twobuilding complex, where people were reluctant to be identified. “Everyone was calm, collected, and moved in a single file.”

On March 8 at 7:25 p.m., the regional dispatch center in McHenry received a telephone call from an unknown male saying that he was inside the Old Courthouse Center with a firearm and explosives. According to a news

release, the man said he would ignite the explosives and use the firearm against customers in the building.

With the clock ticking, Woodstock Police Department developed an action plan and deployed officers onto the premises, the release said. Patrons and employees were instructed to leave immediately.

“It was definitely not something you see everyday,” Deputy Chief Ray Lanz

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Newly bald Norah Thomas, 11, has her head rubbed by her 4-year-old cousin, Nicholas Karasch, during the St. Baldrick’s cancer fundraiser Sunday. Nicholas is fighting brain cancer. More photos on Page 25.

Continued from Page 1

required for anyone younger than 18. It is not clear who, if anyone, enforces the policy.

But how could Brown tell there was something suspicious going on? When she compared the paper in question to previous work from the same student, several things jumped out.

“They turn in a paper that is above the level of any of their previous writing,” she said. “There are punctuation marks they haven’t used in other work, such as dashes. It is not their writing style or their vocabulary or their voice. There are no grammatical errors.”

When she runs across one of these papers, she will take the student aside and ask, “Is this your work?” Sometimes they will confess and say it isn’t. Then she will offer a chance to do the assignment again on a different topic with no outside help. Only then would the student receive credit for the assignment. “But if they claim it is their own work, it’s hard to prove that it isn’t,” she said. “It’s all a gray area.”

‘Path of least resistance’

In a case like this, the teacher has the option of pursuing disciplinary action in addition to a grade penalty. WHS Principal Art Vallicelli said there is no specific written policy on student misuse of AI. It is covered under the academic honesty section of the WHS Student Handbook. That policy reads, in part: “Each student is expected to do his or her own work. This includes test taking, homework, class assignments, and the original creation of essays, compositions, term papers, and scientific research.” The handbook goes on to spell out possible consequences for violations, which can be an academic penalty imposed by the teacher and/or serving a detention imposed by the dean of students.

Most problems are handled by the teacher, Vallicelli said.

“They often have a relationship with the student that can allow for a more meaningful response,” he said.

But if the teacher desires administrative support, or if the violation is “egregious,” an administrator will become involved.

Brown said a student who turns to AI often is a struggling writer. She can understand – to a point – the temptation to take the easy way out.

“Kids go for the path of least resistance,” she said. “It could take a couple of hours to write a paper, when AI can give them a better paper in 30 seconds.”

Despite its challenges, Brown stressed that AI is not totally banned

in her classroom. When used correctly, it can be a useful tool to help students with research, organization, punctuation, and grammar.

The good news is that Brown is finding fewer, more sporadic AI-related problems this year. District 200 has provided teachers with two new tools. One is CopyLeaks, an anti-plagiarism app/software that helps teachers detect AI-generated work. The other tool is the Lockdown browser. Lockdown does not allow the user to open other websites while logged in. Thus, students cannot access ChatGPT or other sources.

Of course, there is also the oldschool method of having students write papers and take tests with pen and paper in the classroom. That is still effective, especially combined with Brown’s requirement that students turn in their phones before class begins.

She knows that AI’s challenges might be under better control for now, but they will return in new forms in time.

“Once it’s out,” she said, “there is no putting the genie back in the bottle.”

On the other hand ...

“This is the greatest tool that man has created.”– Bart Labuz

Currently in his 12th year of teaching ELL – English Language Learners – at WHS, Bart Labuz was an early and enthusiastic proponent of AI as a teaching tool.

ChatGPT was released Nov. 30, 2022.

Less than a month later, Labuz was using it in his classroom.

“AI is like an incredible assistant that works with precision and efficiency,” he said. “It is only limited by my imagination.”

He uses it to brainstorm for lesson ideas and to create activities, tests, and other resources. He even used it to design the educational posters on his classroom walls.

As an ELL teacher, Labuz works with students who speak a language other than English. For most of his students, that language is Spanish, but usually there is at least one student with a different native language in a class. It is Labuz’s job to teach them all English at the same time.

His 50-some total students are divided into classes of beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels of English, but within each group, there is a still a range of English proficiency. One size does not fit all in his lesson planning. To accommodate everyone, he would need multiple lessons and activities for each class session.

That is where AI comes in. Labuz can supply a photo of a written assignment and have ChatGPT create multiple activities and quizzes, all on several different levels of difficulty. It would even be possible to create an individual lesson for each student, if needed, in less time than he would have spent making one group plan before AI.

Labuz is aware of the problems with students using AI in dishonest ways. When it comes to quizzes, tests and

other graded work, he, too, uses paperand-pencil work done during class.

In the classroom and beyond

Along with most of his colleagues, Labuz has noticed a disturbing trend in his classes. Today’s students have noticeably shorter attention spans than those of a few years ago. Often that is attributed to the technology and entertainment they consume in their free time.

“There is so much content out there,” he said. “How does the teacher compete with that? [Students] like everything bite-sized. AI allows me to add more novelty to my lessons so I can begin to compete with that.”

Labuz enjoys showing other teachers what AI could do for them. But even with AI, his time is limited. Besides, he has a bigger dream. He would like to see District 200 create a new position for an AI specialist who would implement it throughout the district, in the classrooms but also beyond. He wonders what could AI do for the district in terms of finance, records, community engagement, and more.

Looking ahead, Labuz sees the brightest of futures as AI continues to advance.

“It is still evolving,” he said. “We are going to be getting adjusted to it for the next 10 to 20 years. But AI is here to stay.

“We won’t go backward. It would be like going back to a horse when you’ve had a car.”

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER Woodstock High School teachers Heather Brown and Bart Labuz see useful applications of artificial intelligence in the classroom, but the school has no formal policy on student misuse of AI.

Continued from Page 1

said.

Riot shields and loaded weapons can raise eyebrows on a Friday night in Woodstock.

However, aside from some understandable “shock and concern,” the officer’s handling of the incident was “straightforward and to the point.”

“Everyone adhered to the law enforcement’s orders,” said a worker at the Old Courthouse Center.

Guests of the bars, casual dining spots, and stores moved in an orderly manner and waited patiently on the opposite side of the street while police conducted a thorough search of the building. No threats or dangerous persons were discovered during the search, and nobody was physically injured.

“We’re just happy everyone was all right,” said one of the proprietors within the complex.

‘Creating chaos’

All in all, the disruption took around 10 minutes to defuse, after which everyone was permitted to re-enter the buildings and enjoy their evening.

In a press release published that same night, police stated they were treating this as a “swatting” incident.

“It’s a moniker for what seems to be a general desire to create a situation that causes chaos for people’s evenings.”

- Woodstock Deputy Police Chief Ray Lanz

Swatting is defined as “the action or practice of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of armed police officers to a particular address.”

“It’s a moniker,” Lanz said, “for what seems to be a general desire to create a situation that causes chaos for people’s evenings.”

While new to Woodstock, swatting is being committed more and more frequently in a lot of Illinois jurisdictions. Schools are frequent targets, along with government centers and the homes of government officials.

The number of offenses increased by three times from 2022 to 2023, and that number continues to grow, according to the Illinois State Police Statewide Terrorism & Intelligence Center, which tracks swatting calls that are reported from public safety organizations. And there are likely instances of swatting in Illinois where the center has yet to receive official reporting.

Can be a felony

McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally explained that

“swatting” falls under the category of disorderly conduct, which is broadly defined as when a person knowingly does any act in an unreasonable manner as to alarm or disturb another and to provoke a breach of peace.

“It’s a class 3 felony,” Kenneally said of swatting, “which can earn you two to five years in the clink.”

But swatting is a non-detainable offense, meaning a defendant needs to post no bond to go free after an arrest. But that can also earn a person 180 days in jail with probation, and up to a $25,000 fine, upon conviction.

Michael Sacco, who owns and runs The Records Department in The Old Courthouse Center, was working on the night of the incident.

“The police definitely met my expectations,” he said. “They were matter of fact, to the point, and it was clear their purpose was to keep people safe.”

The restaurant, brewery, and unique shops did not allow the criminal act to affect business.

“We’re here, we’re open for business,” Sacco said, “and everybody’s doing their jobs.”

Tax bills will have new look, more information

McHenry County property owners will see a new tax bill that officials say will offer more transparency about where tax dollars go and offer more ways to pay.

According to a news release, the list of taxing bodies into which property owners pay will be listed in order based on the total dollar amount increase, as well as include the phone number for each taxing unit. A pie chart will help taxpayers understand how much of their bill goes to each unit of local government.

On the back of the bill, taxpayers also will find the phone numbers of every township assessor, as well as contact information for the County Assessments Office, which handles property tax exemptions and assessment appeals.

County Treasurer Donna Kurtz noted the new bills would make it easier for taxpayers to understand which of the county’s 119 units of government they are part of and to paytheir taxes electronically.

The new property tax bills will be mailed out May 3, with the installments due June 10 and Sept. 10.

Linda Hermanson, 73

Linda Hermanson, 73, of Woodstock, passed away on Friday March 8, 2024, at Northwestern Hospital, McHenry.

She was born in Woodstock on May 27, 1950, to Maurice and Flora (Pinnow) Skinner. On Nov. 8, 1969, she married Dan Hermanson.

Linda was raised in Crystal Lake and graduated from Crystal Lake High School Class of 1969. She was a member of the Woodstock Moose Lodge 1329 and Woman of the Moose Chapter 364. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother. She loved celebrating holidays and special occasions with family and friends.

Linda is survived by her husband, Dan; son, Jeff (Lisa) Hermanson; daughter, Stacie (Joe) Groves; grandchildren, Tyler and Cassidy Groves and Brianna and Rebecca Rotondo; great-grandchild, Logan; brother, Doug (Pat) Skinner; and many nieces and nephews.

Linda was preceded in death by her parents and sisters, Marilyn (Bill) Bailey, Jeanette (Ed) O’Leary, and Beverly (Dale) Downing.

There will be a private burial for the immediate family. A celebration of life will be held at the Woodstock Moose Lodge at 406 Clay St., Woodstock, IL 60098 on Sunday, March 24, 2024, from noon to 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital – stjude.org/.

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

Woodstock Police Department

■ Emily L. Roth, 31, Woodstock, was arrested March 1 in the 200 block of North Benton Street on charges of driving under the influence and driving with expired registration. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date March 21.

Township plans new highway buildings

By Larry Lough LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Dorr Township residents will have the chance to review and vote on plans to demolish the 6,000-square-foot highway garage and replace it with two buildings of about 10,000 combined square feet.

Highway Commissioner John Fuller said the township had saved enough to pay for the $1.5 million demolition and construction without increasing taxes.

Project details will be presented at an annual town meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, in the Highway Operations center at 12322 Davis Road.

“We’ll try to make it so people understand what we’re trying to do,” Fuller said.

A two-hour public open house will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 4, at the site, where township residents can inspect the 50-year-old pole barn that will be replaced.

Work on the new buildings will begin if the project wins the vote of township residents at a special meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 21. Approval would get the architect to begin the pre-construction phase of planning, which would lead to accepting bids on the work.

New buildings ‘all steel’

Fuller said the two newer buildings would finish the project that began in 2012, when three buildings were put up on the property.

One of the new buildings would house a mechanics bay in addition to office space, a locker room, and meeting area. The other would be

■ Marcus A. Ferguson, 52, Marengo, was arrested March 1 in the 100 block of South Eastwood Drive on charges of no valid/expired driver’s license and possession of drug paraphernalia. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date March 21.

■ Samuel J. Caccamo, 54, Woodstock, was arrested March 1 in the 200 block of Martin Drive on a charge of outdoor urination. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date April 19.

■ Nicki R. Lively, 28, Woodstock, was arrested April 19 in the 600 block of Stewart Avenue on a charge of criminal defacement of property. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date March 28.

■ Brianna J. Nanstiel, 19, Woodstock, was arrested March 2 at Dane and Pleasant streets on charges of no valid/expired driver’s license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle,

for parking vehicles and equipment, including dump trucks, bucket truck, and utility vehicles, as well as a wood chipper and snow plows, Fuller said.

In a news release Friday morning, township officials said the new buildings would provide “energy efficient maintenance and storage for vehicles as well as meeting and office space for Highway Department employees.”

Fuller said the current large pole barn has wooden supports subject to rot, and reported patches have been made to garage doors and ceilings in the drafty building, which was constructed before 1970. The ceiling of the old building also is too low to allow maintenance of vehicles, so trucks are shuttled to newer buildings for repair and service.

While the two newer buildings also will be pole barns, “They’re different,” Fuller said. “They’re all steel.”

According to the township website, two buildings of 4,995 square feet each will replace the aging pole barn. By dividing into two buildings, the

township will realize “significant savings” by not having to install a sprinkler system, which law requires of buildings that are 5,000 square feet or larger.

Highways have own tax rate

Township Highway Operations supports all roads and bridges in the township that are not within incorporated municipalities, such as Woodstock, Crystal Lake, and Lakewood, Fuller said. That includes maintaining 65 lane miles of road in McHenry County bordering Seneca, Grafton, Nunda, and Greenwood townships.

The highway district is a separate taxing unit through its own line item on property tax bills.

More details and frequently asked questions can be found on the Dorr Township website, Dorr Township.com.

Residents may also call the Dorr supervisor, Sue Brokaw, at 815-3380125, or email her at sue@dorrtownship.com. Fuller can be reached at 815338-1060 or highway@dorrtownship. com.

and suspended vehicle registration. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date March 21.

■ Hayden B. Ward, 18, Marengo, was arrested March 3 at Washington Street and Lamb Road on charges of driving while license suspended and operating a motor vehicle with registration plate covered. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date March 28.

■ Keymon A. Taylor, 22, Woodstock, was arrested March 4 in the 700 block of South Eastwood Drive on charges of no valid driver’s license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and expired vehicle registration. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date March 28.

■ Female juvenile, 16, Harvard, was arrested March 5 at Madison and Vine streets on charges of no valid driver’s license/never issued and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Released with

notice to appear in court. Court date March 28.

Charges are only accusations of crimes, and defendants are presumed innocent until proved guilty.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

Ambulance runs March 7-13: 78

Fire runs

Structure fire: 1

Vehicle fire: 1

Combustible spills/leaks: 2

Electrical wiring/equipment problem: 1

Person in distress: 2

Public service assistance: 13

Cover assignment/standby: 3

Dispatched/canceled en route: 3

Wrong location/no emergency found: 1

Steam/gas mistaken for smoke: 1

System/detector malfunction: 1

Unintentional system/detector: 6

Total: 113

Linda Hermanson

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY LARRY LOUGH

“I’m

"I read three papers; The Independent is my favorite.”

-Bob Anderson

Opinion

Woodstock, IL • 1987

How should law swat back at the swatters?

Imagine sitting in a local taproom, enjoying a glass of cold craft beer, when in through the door comes a group of helmeted officers with police rifles and protective shields.

Several customers of MobCraft Beer in the Old Courthouse Center don’t have to imagine. They experienced it.

The frightening scene was the result of what Woodstock Police are calling an instance of “swatting,” in which a prank caller reports a dangerous situation that causes heavily armed officers to be sent to the scene where the supposed danger is imminent. Some prank.

That happened about 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 8, in downtown Woodstock when a male caller told dispatchers he was inside the historic building with explosives and a firearm, which he threatened to use against customers inside.

Customers reported the professional approach by police eased apprehensions about their safety.

Because such reports cannot be taken lightly, police were prepared to expect the worst. Fortunately, police found no armed man, no explosives, no threat – except to the peace of mind of the MobCraft customers and, for that matter, the officers involved.

Police are investigating, but have not reported that a suspect has been identified. They ask that anyone with information about who committed what they called a “senseless crime” to call WPD at 815-338-2131.

“Swatting” has received national attention when it involves high-profile targets, mostly schools, government buildings, and political figures whose homes are besieged by police officers who are called into a tense and potentially tragic situation that was never real.

The danger involved can be very real. Training helps to prepare police to handle such situations, but the potential for tragedy always exists when firearms are involved in highintensity confrontations.

Of course, “swatting” also wastes valuable public resources of law enforcement while needlessly frightening the public.

In a news release, Police Chief John Lieb said the perpetrator of the March 8 call would be “criminally charged to the fullest extent of law.”

Unfortunately, the law is limited in punishing people who instill such terror. The news release referred to the offense as “disorderly conduct,” a minor offense that is usually filed as a catch-all misdemeanor in Illinois, not » YOUR

VIEW

Lennar housing proposal wrong for Woodstock

Woodstock Mayor Mike Turner and City Council members will soon vote on the Riverwoods 320-unit high-density housing development on 135 acres in southeast Woodstock near Lucas Road and Northwestern Hospital at the headwaters of the Kishwaukee River.

The development proposal includes 244 single family homes and 76 duplex units. The developer Lennar is requesting a zoning change, numerous variances to city ordinances, and a $1.8 million reduction in impact fees.

The vote could be as soon as the April 2 council meeting.

I encourage the mayor and council

serious enough to hold the offender.

That seems a little light considering the act is basically “dirty tricks” evolved into domestic terrorism.

But according to McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally, swatting can be charged as a low-level felony, the lowest felony in state law. And still “non-detainable.”

A judge could also require an offender to reimburse a government entity for costs associated with causing the deployment of officers and equipment for no good reason.

Illinois legislators have recognized the crime can be charged to ensure

“the fullest extent of the law” has a few teeth, though it could be tougher in an attempt to quell the disturbing practice that has become too common. Criminal law has elevated the act to something more than disturbing the peace, but not a lot more, when such potentially deadly outcomes are needlessly created.

We would like legislators to revisit the criminal penalties and the civil remedies in light of the recent trend of bogus emergency calls.

That might be how we answer a dangerous “swat” with a welldeserved legal bite.

members to uphold the Woodstock Plan Commission’s Dec. 14 decision when it [recommended rejection of] this development proposal for a variety of reasons.

At the Plan Commission meeting, Dave Brandt, a retired soil scientist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service who worked in the Woodstock office for 26 years, said nearly all the acreage has a high potential for shallow-aquifer contamination of area wells and water supply. This is especially concerning as aquifers provide 100 percent of Woodstock’s water supply, according to Illinois State Water Survey.

The city of Woodstock also has identified the value of aquifers in supplying residents safe water in its current comprehensive plan: “Woodstock relies on

shallow aquifers which are vulnerable to contamination for its water. Protecting soils and establishing open landscapes is important because of the impact on water recharge areas, as well as its contribution to the visual and physical character of the community. This Plan sets the protection of our recharge and wellhead areas, natural ecosystems, landscape hydrology, and open landscapes as an important consideration when evaluating land use changes.”

In fact, the entire Lennar plan is in conflict with the current Woodstock Comprehensive Plan as described in Chapter 3, Natural Resources, especially objective No. 7: “Preserve and regenerate stands of oak and hickory trees and similar woodland resources.” Lennar plans to cut down

part of the remnant oak savannas on the property, trees that are over 200 years old.

From an economic and taxpayer standpoint, the development is also concerning. With the proposed homes located halfway between Woodstock’s and Crystal Lake’s shopping corridors, what is the likelihood residents will shop in Woodstock?

Additionally, the $1.8 million waiver in impact fees that Lennar is requesting means Woodstock taxpayers would be responsible to cover the costs of the new infrastructure – water, sewer, and roads.

Vote no on the Riverwoods development.

Christine Stebbins Woodstock

INDEPENDENT

PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Customers of MobCraft Beer taproom experienced a “swatting” incident the evening of March 8. The Old Courthouse Center was evacuated after police dispatch received a threatening phone call.

A place of belonging

I arrived in Edinburgh, Scotland, on Sept. 14, 2022, exactly a week after Queen Elizabeth died. The previous year, I had moved away from Woodstock, my home of 22 years, to teach English in two elementary schools in Orléans, France. Growing pains from a year of culture shock, traveling, language learning, and living far away from home had not subsided, leaving me exhausted as I arrived at my new home.

Edinburgh, Scotland’s ancient and charming capital, was gripped by grief after the loss of the queen. A mile-long queue of mourners stretched through the winding streets to Saint Giles Cathedral, where the queen’s body lay in state. Away from the mourners, I began to unpack my suitcase and checked my course schedule for the master’s program I would be starting in a week at the University of Edinburgh.

Before arriving in Scotland, I had spent a month back home in Woodstock. Spending the previous year steeped in culture shock in France, I desperately craved the familiar. Woodstock’s downtown greeted me with open arms after a long flight and drive from O’Hare.

“Should we drive through the Square?” my dad said as we got closer to my house.

“Yeah,” I said with a grin.

Delirious with jet lag, each storefront, bench, and swaying tree we passed in our slow circle of the Square seemed to whisper “welcome home.”

Jet lag was ever persistent, and I often woke up with the sun, restless and delighted to be home. Each morning, I headed out on foot to soak up as much of Woodstock as I

could before I left again. I retraced the steps of my childhood, passing my alma mater, St. Mary School, and walking through Emricson Park.

Once the rest of the world awoke, I would often head to the Square to check out new shops and say hello to familiar faces like Greg and Lisa at The Backdrop, and Addie at New Interiors Anew.

I indulged in Napoli’s Pizza (more than I’d like to admit) and stopped at Dairy Queen whenever possible. I savored each cone and slice of American pizza, knowing that soon enough I would be across the Atlantic again. Having not driven for a year, I always took the longer route around town so I could revisit old memories. After a year abroad, it felt good to be home.

Having slightly embellished my French-speaking abilities in my application to be an English teacher the year before, I had found myself in over my head in Orléans, France. Being the only English speaker in two elementary schools, I very quickly improved and adjusted to life as l’Americaine, or “the American.”

My presence in Orléans often required explanation. “D’où venezvous?” – “Where are you from?” –was asked by dozens of curious students and wary strangers. I learned it was easier to respond with “The United States” or “Chicago.” Eventually I met other English-speakers.

Together we formed a ragtag group of les étrangers, or “foreigners,” held together by frustrations for the French and cheap wine.

The month I spent in Woodstock reminded me how special it is to feel known and understood in a community. Two weeks before I was set to leave for Scotland, my family threw a simultaneous “Welcome Home” and “Send Off” party. Scottish flags lined the backyard, where family and friends lounged in the shade of a big oak tree and sipped lemonade. I was no longer l’Americaine, but had returned to an identity that had been created by the love of family and the strength of a community.

In Woodstock, I was “just Brigid.”

Soon enough, the buzz from the queen’s passing died down and I settled into life in Edinburgh. Scotland’s culture shock was a significantly smaller dose than that of France, and I adjusted quickly. In December 2023, I graduated with my master’s degree in science from the University of Edinburgh. As I enter into a new phase of life and launch my career, I carry with me the lessons and values instilled in me by family and friends across the Atlantic. Growing up in Woodstock has shaped me into the person I’ve become and guided me through life’s twists and turns.

So, while Edinburgh may be my current home, Woodstock will always hold a cherished place in my heart and be a place where I know I will always belong.

Brigid McCormack is a former resident of Woodstock who is living and studying in Scotland. She will be a regular contributor to Declarations. Her email is brigidcatherine98@gmail.com.

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Tech challenge ahead

Their robot “Curiosity,” which is capable of moving on its own, picking up objects, and launching paper airplanes, poses with members of the Golden Ratio team, (from left) Ryan Nolan, Nehemiah

Auction proceeds will have impact on D-200 students

More than $26,000 was raised from sponsors, donors, and bidders in the annual Groundhog Day Auction of Woodstock D200 Education Foundation.

Robotics team with WNHS student headed to Houston

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Woodstock North student Victoria Grant and her local robotics team have achieved great success in recent competitions.

Now her Golden Ratio Robotics team must raise $15,000 to cover expenses for the international competition for youth robotics teams that takes place from April 17 to 20 in Houston, Texas.

Grant’s team is a McHenry-based team of five high school students from freshman to junior years.

“I first became aware of Golden Ratio Robotics when their team brought their robot to a community

fair at my church, Trinity Baptist Community Church in Crystal Lake,” Grant said. “My mother signed me up for their summer boot camp after my seventh-grade year, and I have been a team member ever since.”

Three of her team members attend Cary Grove High School and one is homeschooled. Head coach Melissa Ryan started the team about seven years ago. Her assistants are Tammey Massey and Daniel Woestman.

Team members met several times a week during the competition season of November through March. They worked with professionals and mentors who helped them learn new skills. They designed, built, and programmed their own robot.

“Victoria has been on the team for four years,” Ryan said. “Over the years I have seen her grow in confidence and especially in her ability to present ideas in public speaking formats to judges and professionals.”

Golden Ratio Robotics won second place in the state championship

this month. The team now prepares for the tech challenge at the FIRST Championship 2024 next month in Houston, Texas. The event includes demonstrations of their skills in science, technology, engineering, and math. Four teams will represent Illinois, competing against 574 teams from more than 59 countries.

“I enjoy touring local companies in our community, interacting with other robotics teams, and observing their robots every season,” Grant said. “My favorite competition so far was during the ’21-’22 Freight Frenzy competition season. This is the first time Golden Ratio Robotics has advanced to the state championships since I have been on the team.”

“Victoria’s skill set will benefit her no matter what profession she ultimately chooses to go into,” Ryan added.

To learn more about the team and the process for donations, visit goldenratiorobotics.com.

Money from the auction, held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 4, will fund programs and experiences for students of Woodstock School District 200. The online auction ended with a reverse raffle and dozens of winning bidders on items such as Bears and Cubs tickets, gift certificates to local business and restaurants, specialty gift baskets, and many other items.

From the funds, the foundation awards Impact Grants that D-200 educators apply for each fall. Grant applications include proposals for field trips, materials for special projects, guest author speakers, performances, and many other school experiences for students from kindergarten through high school.

Last October, the foundation awarded more than $26,000 to fund various grants around the district.

“We’re so grateful for the generosity of our sponsors and donors who make these events successful,” said Jaci Krandel, co-chairwoman of the foundation, in a news release. “We hope everyone supports these wonderful local businesses.”

Co-chairwoman Jennifer Thomas said the fundraiser was made a success by “everyone who bid on items [and] purchased raffle tickets, which helps provide these

Schultz, Josiah Ryan, Jackson Woestman, and Victoria Grant.

COURTESY PHOTO

Victoria Grant

Student of the Week

Justin Smiley

Justin Smiley, a Woodstock North High School senior, is the son of Jim and Jen Smiley, Woodstock.

The teacher who nominated him said Justin volunteered the entire first semester to tutor in the LRC during his study hall.”He approached every session with enthusiasm and great patience,” his teacher said.

A high honor roll student for four years, Justin is a member of the Spanish National Honor Society and the Link crew. He also played on the football

St. Mary academic decathlon team medals

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

St. Mary Catholic School captured first place overall in the 2024 regional National Catholic School Academic Junior High Decathlon in St. Charles.

St. Patrick’s Catholic School hosted the Rockford region competition on March 2. St. Mary’s team was one of only 18 regional teams in the country. The national competition took place on March 15 as a virtual event.

“Seeing the 10 kids work as a team to solve problems and be that engaged in academics was exciting and enjoyable to watch,” said Principal Hillary Russell, who was the team’s coach. “They prepared well for the competition.”

Students met during an elective period once a week to review study materials. They worked through logic puzzles together and also studied at home. They ranged from sixth- to eighth-graders.

The team’s regional win was based on team and individual scores. First-place winners were Vincent Brendel for science and Adelaide Leitzen for current events. Second-place awards went to Henry Blackney for social studies, Sadie Strange for religion, and Gavin Barry for math. Kaitlyn Lange took third place in English.

Other subjects in the individual competition were literature and fine arts.

An additional third place was achieved by Ava Letendre, Celeste Raymond, Colin Hernon, and Adalyn Schug in the Team Logic Quiz and the Super Quiz.

For the national competition, students who placed first in their subject area tested virtually against all other national participants. The team as a whole also competed again in the Super Quiz.

“We are so proud of our students’ hard work and their dedication to their academic success,” Russell said. “Go Irish!”

COURTESY PHOTO

St. Mary students who were among winners in the National Catholic School Academic Junior High Decathlon included (from left) Colin Hernon, Gavin Barry, Vincent Brendel, Adalyn Schug, Henry Blackney, Adelaide Leitzen, Sadie Strange, Celeste Raymond, and Kaitlyn Lange. Not pictured: Ava Letendre.

Broker

IN BRIEF FUNDRAISER

Continued from Page 9

opportunities for our students.”

While the Groundhog Day event is the foundation’s biggest fundraiser, it also hosted its first Halfway to Groundhog Day event last August at Ortmann’s Red Iron Tavern. A similar event will be held this summer, on Friday, Aug. 2.

The Groundhog Day event had been an in-person event but has been held virtually since 2019, at first because of the pandemic. Foundation board members are discussing bringing back an inperson event for February 2025.

The foundation board is made up of current and former District 200 parents, retired teachers, and administrators, among other community leaders. In addition to Krandel and Thomas, the current board includes Larry Baier, Mark Heckmon, Melanie Dougherty, Gigi Carlson, Diana Frisbie, Linda Gabrielson, John Schuette, Bob Teuber, and Cindy Meyer.

For more information about the foundation, visit d200edfoundation.org.

MCC to host new student open house March 20

Career paths, programs, and resources available at McHenry County College will be explained at “Meet MCC” from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday, March 20, at the college, 8900 U.S. 14 in Crystal Lake.

At the open house format event, parents and prospective students can chat with faculty and staff and meet with representatives from admissions, financial aid, student activities, access and disability services, and more.

The event is for all types of students, including high school, returning adults, and transfer students, the college said in a news release.

Prospective students are also invited to attend an interactive tour of the campus, sample food from current MCC culinary students, and check out the college’s planetarium.

Information about study abroad, dual credit, veterans services, scholarships, student life, and athletics will also be available.

The event is open to the public and free to attend.

To learn more, visit mchenry.edu/ meetmcc.

CULTURAL EXCHANGE

Gao Hong, a graduate of Beijing’s Central Conservatory of Music, talks and rehearses with students at Woodstock High School on the afternoon of March 4 before she performed with orchestra and choir students in a public concert at the high school auditorium that evening. The world-renowned Chinese musician, composer, and educator performs on the pipa, a traditional Chinese stringed instrument similar to a lute.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

The Independent and Cheryl and Jim Wormley,

still wet from a drenching boat ride under two of Iguazu Falls 275 falls in Brazil.

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

‘Different people meet’

Shannon Mingalone is one of the owners of Ramshackle Farm Trans-Farm-Ation near Harvard, which will host Trans-FarmAtion, a music festival, March 30. The farm uses hydroponic growing systems and more traditional growing methods to seed, sprout, and sell “pretty much everything,” she said.

Trans-Farm-Ation punk music fest finds home in Woodstock area

By Julian Senn-Raemont NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Ramshackle Farm seems the perfect venue for a music festival featuring seven punk-bands.

Trans-Farm-Ation is the brainchild of Shannon Mingalone, one of the owners of Ramshackle Farm.

“It’s a light to gather around,” Shannon said of the DIY barn concert, which will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at 5116 Irish Lane, Harvard.

The barn is a place that centers on queer identity and prioritizes the safety of LGBTQIA+ folks, and of course, all are welcome.

“The best part of organizing queer-centric events is watching different people meet one another,” Mingalone said.

She lived in the Northeast, where she grew up in a suburb of Boston, and later lived in Colorado for seven years. When the pandemic hit, Shannon and business partner Eve sold their home in Colorado and headed for the rural Midwest. A move like that can be difficult for queer/trans people as they cannot know what it’s like to be “visibly

queer” in a new space.

More often than not, cities are the places where they flock to in order to avoid verbal or physical abuse, which involved “more unfamiliarity than anything else” Mingalone said. “People are a lot braver behind their keyboards than they are face to face.”

The Woodstock community put Shannon at ease.

Ramshackle Farm (named after Ramshackle Glory, an esoteric punk-rock outfit) is a yearround operation, utilizing hydroponic growing systems and more traditional growing methods to seed, sprout, and sell “pretty much everything” from bok choy to garlic, zucchini to kale.

Uniquely, punk rock music is played for the plants at volumes to ensure that “all seeds have been radicalized.”

Unique experience promised

A do-it-yourself aesthetic lies at the heart of the punk rock movement. Concerts in basements, backyards, barns, and any old place that will foster the philosophical aims of punk music are the norm.

Oftentimes, musicians will play these shows for free.

That is not the case for groups billed to play Trans-Farm-Ation.

“We believe in paying people for their labor,” Shannon said.

Musicians playing the event are given a lump sum for their performance, as well as a travel stipend, and all proceeds for the show go toward a mutual fund that covers gender-affirming care for people in McHenry County.

Every band at this year’s TransFarm-Ation has some form of queer/trans representation, and the event promises to be a unique concert experience.

McHenry County is nearly 80 percent white, with the next highest ethnicity being close to 14 percent Hispanic. While this is not a diverse part of the nation, in an ever-changing world, more and more eclectic peoples are being embraced as neighbors.

“A large majority of people in this area are white guys,” musician Megan Kazy-Garey of Harvard said. “The move is to create a space for a more broad variety of talents.”

Even in smaller communities like Woodstock, the national zeitgeist is changing, and disparate ways of life are clashing with long-held traditions.

“People living the same life in the same class are being divided,” Mingalone said, “by something as arbitrary as personal preference.”

Fear and vitriol broadcast through social media create a culture of panic and distrust, said Kazy-Garey, who will perform at the coming concert.

“A lot of people don’t feel safe because of hate speech on the internet,” she said. “We would never silence anyone, only have

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY JULIAN SENN-RAEMONT

D-200 Musicians of the Month

Caelynn Sankey

Dean Street Elementary School, 5th Grade

Emma G

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

I am in band, and I play percussion. Also, I have been in chorus since fourth grade.

What got you interested in music?

My older sister is in band, and I like playing drums in Mr. Moyta’s music class.

What is your favorite part of participating in band?

I like playing the bells the best because I can play the melodies of songs I hear on the radio.

What is your favorite song or musical artist?

Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish

Dean Street Elementary School, 5th Grade

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

I am in chorus and orchestra. I play the violin.

What got you interested in music?

In fourth grade I wanted to play the violin when Miss Forbes brought the instruments to the gym

What is your favorite part of participating in orchestra?

My favorite part of orchestra is playing my violin and seeing my teacher and friends.

What is your favorite song or musical artist ?

I like a lot of different kinds of music.

Mahika Patel

Dean Street Elementary School, 5th Grade

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

I am involved in chorus, I am in orchestra, and I play the violin.

What got you interested in music?

Since I was little I’ve loved singing and playing instruments.

What is your favorite part of participating in chorus?

My favorite part of participating in chorus is singing and learning how to sing even better.

What is your favorite song or musical artist ?

My favorite song is “One Of The Girls,” by The Weekend, Jennie.

Raelynn Wilsman

Dean Street Elementary School, 5th Grade

What got you interested in music?

I like how creative everyone is and how inspiring they are.

What is your favorite part of participating in music class?

Seeing my favorite teacher, Mr. Moyta.

What is your favorite song or musical artist ?

Backstreet Boys

MCC gallery features work of Chicago photographer

“A Journey,” an exhibit of photographs by Lawrence Agyei, will be featured through April 12 in Galleries One and Two at McHenry County College.

The exhibit, a blend of documentary and portraiture, includes Agyei’s work over the past few years, from his beginnings as a photographer in Chicago to capturing moments in Ghana and throughout Europe.

For more information about Agyei, visit lawrenceagyei.com and his Instagram page @lawrenceagyei.

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

CONCERT

Continued from Page 13

them understand that their negative words are impactful.”

‘We have value’

Lou Ness, a 34-year Woodstock resident, champion gardener, District 7 County Board representative, and first woman commander in the 103-year history of Woodstock American Legion, stands with Trans-Farm-Ation’s message.

“We don’t need anyone’s affirmation to know that we have value,” she said.

Ness came out in the early ’90s, when homosexuality simply “wasn’t something that we talked

about,” and people were generally OK with it so long as it wasn’t “advertised” by acts as universal as holding hands or kissing a loved one on the cheek.

Today, people are talking about it, celebrating Pride parades, such as during Woodstock’s annual Pride Week, and dedicating projects such as the rainbow-colored steps leading to the Square off Jefferson Street that the city established during Pride Week in 2021.

“Acts of declaration” and “giving people a space to be who they are” are things we need to see more of, Ness said. “One never gets used to an idea unless it presses against them.”

Trans-Farm-Ation tickets cost $40 at the door.

MCC PHOTO

Lawrence Agyei, “Boykins,” 2021, archival inkjet print.

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office March 1 to 4.

.

■ Residence at 541 Fremont St., Woodstock, was sold by Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation, Chicago, to Heartland Homes LLC, Kenosha, Wis., for $111,000.

■ Residence at 8502 Redbud Court, Wonder Lake, was sold by Bradley Werrbach, Wonder Lake, to Josue Rodriguez, Wonder Lake, for $259,900.

■ Residence at 8505 White Oaks Court, Wonder Lake, was sold by CalAtlantic Group LLC, Schaumburg, to Edward M. Reuter, Wonder Lake, for $364,440.

■ Residence at 8503 White Oaks Court, Wonder Lake, was sold by CalAtlantic Group LLC, Schaumburg, to Jessica Melesio, Wonder Lake, for $299,900.

■ Residence at 8513 White Oaks Court, Wonder Lake, was sold by CalAtlantic Group LLC, Schaumburg, to Randall B. Soderman, Wonder Lake, for $305,000.

■ Residence at 359 S. Madison St., Woodstock, was sold by Steven E. Aavang, Woodstock, to Michael Garcia, Woodstock, for $310,000.

■ Vacant land on Indigo Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Dorothy Starostecki, Park Ridge, to Matt Ellett, Pingree Grove, for $14,000.

■ Residence at 4405 Greenwood Road, Woodstock, was sold by Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Oklahoma City, Okla., to Javier Nunez, Woodstock, for $75,000.

■ Residence at 717 S. Jefferson St., Woodstock, was sold by Judith A. Kelahan, Woodstock, to Jamie Russell Kelahan and Heidi K. Kelahan Revocable Trust, Woodstock, for $100,000.

Continental flair on the Square

Paulie’s Italian Bakery and Deli, La Vie en Rose Café and Patisserie debut this spring

By Susan W. Murray

Food options are set to increase on the Woodstock Square this spring.

Paul Letizia is readying the retail space at 132 Cass St., the former location of recently closed Avant Cycles, for Paulie’s Italian Bakery and Deli.

The bakery and deli will open its doors in early May.

Last week, Letizia bought Sweet Reds Patisserie and Café from Kim Loewe. After a reset, the cafe at 110 N. Benton St. will reopen on April 1 as La Vie en Rose Café and Patisserie with the same concept and largely the same menu, Letizia said.

Drawing on his heritage

Letizia, whose heritage is Italian, studied culinary arts and business in college. After college, he

worked in a hotel kitchen outside Vienna where, among other dishes, he learned to perfect strudel. Most recently, he was chef at Sweet Reds.

He envisions Paulie’s as a complement to the Italian eateries in town that specialize in pizza and to Cesaroni’s Cafe & Deli, which concentrates on sandwiches.

Paulie’s will offer authentic Italian cold cuts and cheeses, traditional deli meats, Italian beef, pizza dough sandwiches, and meatball sandwiches. Prepared lunches and dinners will be available for customers to take away.

Letizia wants his customers to have plenty of choices so they can create a party or gift basket. On the shelves, patrons will find fresh and dried pastas, jarred vegetables, and infused olive oils.

A selection of sweets will round out the experience: cannoli, pizzelle, Roman-style cream puffs, and

a variety of Italian cookies. Handmade sugar cones will be available for scoops of gelato.

Deli manager Alex Maturno, who moved to Woodstock in July, has spent nearly eight years working in grocery store delis.

“Working here will give me the opportunity to get to know the community and everyone better,” Maturno said.

Baking at La Vie en Rose

Because the Cass Street space does not have kitchen facilities, all baking will be done at La Vie en Rose. Letizia will be executive chef, with Todd Dwyer coming on as sous chef.

Dwyer had worked as a sous chef at Chicago’s Fairmont Hotel. Needing a break from working in a kitchen, he moved to McHenry County to start a business,

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

The team behind Paulie’s Italian Bakery and Deli and La Vie en Rose Patisserie and Cafe stands behind one of the display cases at Paulie’s. Team members are (from left) Todd Dwyer, sous chef at La Vie en Rose; Derek Marifke, front-of-house manager at La Vie en Rose; Alex Maturno, deli manager at Paulie’s; and Paul Letizia, executive chef and owner of both locations.

PAULIE’S

Continued from Page 15

eventually getting his license as an esthetician. When he heard Letizia’s pitch for the two businesses, “It sounded like a genius idea,” Dwyer said.

Fans of Sweet Reds can expect to find the breads, soups, and pastries to which they’ve become accustomed at the 28-seat cafe. Specialties include European-style cakes and tortes.

Derek Marifke will join the operation as the front-of-house manager. Marifke’s work history includes a long stint in construction, but he spent 10 years working in grocery store delis and bakeries.

“The bakery and deli is what I enjoy the most,” Marifke said, “especially the interaction with customers.”

Readying Cass Street

Letizia called the work necessary to convert the Cass Street location from a bike shop “very simple.”

Cleaning up, painting, switching out light fixtures, and floor sanding and refinishing accounted for most of the transformation.

“I want to give people the

The props are in place to create the feel of an Italian bakery and deli at Paulie’s. Owner Paul Letizia said that opening the new shop has been in the works since the end of last year. Paulie’s will open when the Farmers Market returns to the Woodstock Square for the summer season. The atmosphere of a food market “is the feel we have,” Letizia said.

atmosphere [of an Italian deli] when they walk in,” Letizia said. When Paulie’s opens, there will be a stand-up counter where customers can eat, and eventually tables and chairs that will accommodate 10 people.

What’s in a name?

The patisserie’s name comes from Edith Piaf’s signature song. While the tune is familiar to Americans, the meaning of the lyrics – a “life in pink,” or seeing the world through rose-colored glasses –might not be as well-known.

Letizia explains it as “living with an attitude or outlook of positivity, trying to see beauty in the everyday, like you do when you first fall in love.”

Paulie’s is a nod to his grandfather’s nickname, as well as an acknowledgement that he’s sometimes been called “Paulie” by “some of the most important, influential, and loving people in my life,” he said.

With 10 total employees and two managers at each location, Letizia plans to have Paulie’s and La Vie en Rose open seven days a week. The hours will likely be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and Monday.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Chamber honors Bellairs with Buschkopf Award

Year after year after year, for the past 20 years, Rick Bellairs has been a member of the committee that helps to plan and execute Woodstock’s popular Groundhog Days Festival.

And since 2019, the local real estate agent has been chairman of the committee whose efforts bring thousands of people downtown for the February weather prognostication by Woodstock Willie.

On Friday, during the annual gala of the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Bellairs was honored with the Harold Buschkopf Award for community service. The Opera House hosted the event.

The gala’s top award was presented to Bellairs by Brad Ball, president and CEO of the chamber, and board Chairwoman Arlene Lynes, who cited Bellairs’ contributions to Woodstock. That includes serving on the city’s Plan Commission.

That was among nine awards that recognized Woodstock businesses, individuals, and events.

Attendees enjoyed a reception which included a silent auction and raffles for items donated or sponsored by nearly 50 Woodstock area businesses.

Other winners and nominees were:

n Community Event of the Year: Lighting of the Square (Woodstock Opera House); other nominees: Food Shed Co-Op groundbreaking ceremony, Woodstock Ale Fest

n Volunteer of the Year: Joe and Lynn Fiala; other nominees: Ed Zurawski, Mike Lenzi

n Leadership Excellence: former Miss Woodstock Ashlynn Drach; other nominees: Anne Marie Whitmore-Lenzini, Melissa McMahon

n Entrepreneur of the Year: Julienne Samuels (Seleta Scents); other nominees: Darrin Flynn and Alberto Perez, Stacy McCaskill

n Nonprofit of the Year: Home of The Sparrow; other nominees: Theatre 121, Woodstock Farmers Market

n Manufacturer of the Year: Claussen Pickles; other nominees: Boss Straw, EMTECH Machining & Grinding, Phoenix Woodworking Corp.

n Retailer of the Year: Clayworkers’ Guild of Illinois – Artisans On Main; other nominees: Hempstock Pharms, Kingston Lanes, Sparrow’s Nest

n Professional Service Provider of the Year: Family Eye Care of Woodstock; other nominees: Northern Illinois Foot & Ankle Specialists, Todd’s Mastercoat

Rick Bellairs is presented the Harold Buschkopf Award for community service Friday on the Opera House stage during the annual gala of the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Presenting the honor are Chamber President and CEO Brad Ball and board Chairwoman Arlene Lynes.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER

Ashlynn Drach, Leadership Excellence Award

Anne Marie Lenzini of Clayworkers’ Guild of Illinois, Retailer of the Year

Joe and Lynn Fiala, Volunteers of the year

Julienne Samuels of Seleta Scents, an incubator business in the Old Courthouse Center, Entrepreneur of the Year.

D200 EDUCATION FOUNDATION BOARD in appreciation for a successful GROUNDHOG day AUCTION

Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors, donors, bidders and raffle ticket purchasers, the Woodstock District 200 Education Foundation raised over $26,000 at its February Groundhog Day Auction!

The proceeds from the event will be used to enrich the education of students of Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 to fund field trips, guest authors, and classroom items among other things to provide unique educational opportunities for our students.

The Foundation Board of Trustees would like to specially thank the following businesses and individuals for their support and generosity for this year’s event:

Al and Faye Wilson

American Community Bank

Angie Boe

Apple Creek Flowers

Astri Aura

The Backdrop

Baier, Ormsby & Porto Wealth Management

Biaggi’s

Blue Thistle

BMO Bank

Boulder Ridge Country Club - Chris Bona

Brian McAdow

Bull Valley Golf Club

Chase Westbrook

Cindy and Paul Meyer

Classic Cinemas

Copy Express

Curated by D & A

D & A Apothecary

D200 Administrative Team

D200 Buildings & Grounds

D200 Education Foundation

Deerland Dairy

Ellendale Farms

Ellen and Dale Morton

Ethereal Confections

Family Health Partnership Clinic

Gigi Carlson

Heritage Title Company

Jaci and Craig Krandel

Josie and Steve Rochell

Kishwaukee Brewing

Kitchen Outfitters

Larin Filip

Larry Baier and Julie Deal

Lorraine Weisz

Marengo Vision - Dr. Michael Thomas

Maria and Steve Brown

Marian Michaels

Material Things Artisan Market

Nancy Rosengard

Napoli’s Pizza

Needful Things

Oliver’s Bar & Grill

Ortmann’s Red Iron Tavern

Paul Houle

Prairie Pure Cheese - Brian & Carole Gerloff

Pretty Penny Designs

PRP WIne International - Scott Seegers

Public House of Woodstock

Read Between the Lynes

Samantha Read

Skyward

Steve Rochell

Studio D

Sweet Reds Patisserie

The Horton Group - Dave O’Hara

The Woodstock Independent

Vanguard Energy - Russ Gewin

Warp Corps

Windy City Bulls

Winestock

Wold Architects & Engineers

Woodstock Country Club - Allen Brown

Woodstock Fine Arts AssociationCreative Living Series

Woodstock Farmer’s Market

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

Woodstock Opera House

Woodstock Police Department

Woodstock Recreation Dept

Woodstock Water Works

Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center

Dean Elementary School

Greenwood Elementary School

Mary Endres Elementary School

Olson Elementary School

Prairiewood Elementary School

Westwood Elementary School

Clay Academy

Creekside Middle School

Northwood Middle School

Woodstock High School

Woodstock North High School

Foundation Board of Trustees :

Jaci Krandel, co-chair

Jennifer Thomas, co-chair

Mark Heckmon, secretary

Melanie Dougherty, treasurer

Larry Baier

Gigi Carlson

Diana Frisbie

Linda Gabrielson

John Schuette

Robert Teuber

Cindy Meyer

‘Cobblestones,

City Planner

Darrell Moore shows how to indicate in what portions of the Comprehensive Plan process an interested resident had already participated.

planted flowers not enough’

Comprehensive Plan open house attendees ‘care about everything Woodstock’

By Susan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

At 4:45 on a Thursday afternoon, two dozen residents strolled through the Community Room in the Woodstock Opera House, taking advantage of a two-hour open house to review draft documents for Woodstock’s latest Comprehensive Plan. As they made their circuits of the room, attendees stopped to study presentation boards that highlighted aspects of the plan and to ask members of city staff their questions.

“It’s the right place to be; it’s the right thing to do,” said resident Stephen Stassen, who had read over the plan on the city’s website before attending the open house.

The plan, a year-and-a-half in the making, is intended to provide “a vision for the community” for the next 20 years, said city Economic Development Director Garrett

Anderson.

The last Comprehensive Plan appeared in 2008, although plans to address specific issues – such as a Master Bicycle Plan in 2009 – have come out in the interim.

Variety of interests, concerns

“Everyone has their own thing they’re interested in,” City Planner Darrell Moore said.

As Moore familiarized those in attendance with the major topics covered by each board, he fielded questions about bicycle access, safety along Route 47, and preservation of natural areas.

Joset Noble had a one-word answer to why she and son Chris had come to the open house.

“Lennar.”

The Nobles live across the street from the proposed Riverwoods development on 135 acres south of Northwestern Hospital Woodstock.

“There are so many negatives with the land, the roads, oldgrowth trees, and the water table,” Noble said. “It’s amazing to me

that they’re even considering it.” Deb Glaubke, who has lived in

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER

The dropbox for comment cards filled up with feedback.

Environmental Defenders’ awards honor people, projects

Nancy Schietzelt, president of the board of the Environmental Defenders of McHenry County for more than 10 years, was presented with the Theta Award, the group’s highest honor for outstanding environmental service, during an annual meeting March 3.

Her work includes years of teaching students the importance of science and conservation; contributing endless volunteer hours to the Defenders, the Land Conservancy, Volo Bog, and many other organizations and natural sites; and recruiting hundreds of members to the Defenders.

Other awards went to:

• Government Award, to the village of Bull Valley, for engaging the community in the Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, adopting the first Dark Sky Ordinance in the county, and for leadership in the preservation of the Thompson Road Farm as a 275-acre Bull Valley park that will provide hundreds of acres of new land to be publicly enjoyed.

• Business Award, American Ad Bag of Woodstock, for supporting the Defenders’ efforts to reduce single-use plastic bag usage by donating misprinted and excess bags to the group’s bookstores and other local nonprofits for many years.

• Volunteer(s) of the Year Award, to the Water and Natural Resources Protection Action Team, for recruiting 14 governmental bodies to sign onto the National Wildlife

BRIEFS

Downtown streets have broken bricks replaced

Brick replacement on downtown Woodstock streets began last week and is scheduled for completion by April 30.

According to a news release from the city, workers will remove and replace damaged, heaved, or sunken brick pavers, including single bricks to areas of several square feet.

The work began on the north end of Main Street, followed by Benton Street and into the interior of the Square. Traffic will be maintained throughout the project. Parking spaces will be barricaded and closed off as needed for brick repair and will be reopened immediately after replacement and restoration, the release said.

Foundation’s Mayors’ Monarch Pledge, the most of any county in Illinois; for two years of putting on successful Best Management Practices Talks and Tours; for receiving a grant and planning several educational presentations on tax credits for being energy efficient; and for donating countless hours of work to

Metra rail yard expansion topic of meeting Thursday

Metra will have an open house at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 21, to share explain potential locations, engineering, and design of a planned new rail yard in Woodstock.

The 90-minute meeting will be in the Community Room of the Opera House, 121 W. Van Buren St.

According to a news release from Metra, the commuter train service plans to move and expand its layover rail yard , known as the Woodstock Layover Yard Project, “to support expanded service on the Union Pacific Northwest Line, improve operational efficiency, and maximize safety, security, and personnel time.”

The project would consolidate operations from the current Barrington and downtown Crystal Lake yards at a

make the Defenders’ solar project a reality.

• Young Defender Award, to Isabelle Gregory, a student at Prairie Ridge High School, for her hard work as a 2023 spring micro intern for the Defenders, where she interacted with the community at several events, including the Earth Day

larger, modernized facility near Woodstock. The site most recently discussed is off Lamb Road on the city’s west side.

For more information, visit metra. com/WoodstockYard.

Roads closed while bridges on Millstream Road rebuilt

McHenry County this week began replacement of two bridges on Millstream Road over branches of the Kishwaukee River. The project is expected to be completed by the end of July 2025, weather permitting.

Millstream Road has been closed from River Road to Route 176 with Kunde Road closed to through traffic from Millstream Road to Union Road. However, local access to homes will be maintained.

The county Division of Transportation

celebration; for volunteering for the Defenders at the county fair; and for serving as co-president of her school’s Environmental Club and starting a recycling initiative that included recycling education.

The dinner raised money to support the Defenders’ paid summer interns.

is redirecting traffic through the area.

Both bridges will be widened, with the north bridge widening to 36 feet and the south bridge to 40 feet to better accommodate truck traffic, farming equipment, and non-motorized users.

Gardenfest registration deadline is March 29

Registration deadline is March 29 for McHenry County Gardenfest, a daylong series of seminars and workshops for gardeners of every skill level.

The event will be from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 13, at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. 14 in Crystal Lake.

Tickets may also be bought on a first-come, first-served basis on the day of the event for an extra $5 (as long as seats are available). MCC Horticulture students can attend for $29.

COURTESY PHOTO

Nancy Schietzelt is presented with the Theta Award by Environmental Defenders’ Board President Kim Hankins (left) and Executive Director Erin Kennedy during the group’s recent annual meeting.

OPEN HOUSE

Continued from Page 19

Woodstock since 1999, resides south of the Woodstock Square. She was at the open house to “get some answers.”

Her first concern was regarding the Park in the Square, which is being addressed in the city’s ongoing Parks Master Plan.

“I’ve heard they want to change the Square,” Glaubke said. “I’m totally opposed to that.”

Beyond the Square, Glaubke said her other concerns include potholes and code enforcement.

A property in her neighborhood has “at least six major violations,” Glaubke said. Although she has called the city, “nothing has been done,” she said.

“Cobblestones and planted flowers are not enough,” she said.

Stassen attended one of the public meetings as the Comprehensive Plan was being put together. He questioned whether the finished plan adequately addressed two issues that came up frequently during the meeting he attended.

One was the danger to pedestrians when crossing Route 47.

The plan includes a note that the city should collaborate with IDOT

during the widening of Route 47 to address the issue.

The second was the mood he sensed that residents prioritize infill development over annexation.

Ongoing process

With 45 minutes left in the open house, more than 50 residents had come through the Community Room. Many had taken the opportunity to leave comments for the Plan Commission and City Council in a box on a table in the center of the room.

After the open house, the Plan Commission met at 7 p.m. in City Hall, where residents could hear employees of Houseal Lavigne, an urban planning and geospatial design firm that helped produce the plan, present the information gathered, and answer questions.

Houseal Lavigne will offer a second presentation in conjunction with the Plan Commission, at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 21, in the City Council chamber.

Rob McCormack attended the March 7 open house.

“I’ve lived here since I was 2 years old and intend to make it my home for the rest of my life,” McCormack said. “I care about everything Woodstock.”

SHAMROCKING IT!

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Lilly Duschak gets a selfie with radio personality Joe Cicero during the Shamrocked celebration Saturday on Benton Street.

City’s business registration program getting underway

Economic Development manager, at CTracy@Woodstockil.gov.

Woodstock begins its new business registration program this week, with a deadline of Oct. 1 for businesses to register and avoid a $50 late fee.

The program was announced Friday afternoon in a news release, which said that beginning in 2025, business registration and renewals will occur each year from Jan. 1 through April 30. After a business owner sets up a profile on OpenGov, the annual registration will be autofilled and only updates will need to be made.

The release said that to register a business, the owner should visit ChooseWoodstock.com and select Business Registration. Registrants will be asked for contact information, landlord (if applicable), and location. For more information, email Cathleen Tracy, the city’s

Any entity that conducts business within Woodstock – whether brickand-mortar, home-based, mobile, lodging, government, or nonprofit –will be required to register in 2024 to provide the city with data about the local business landscape. Registering is free.

The business registration form will be hosted in OpenGov, a cloud software system that will also offer permitting and licensing processes through the city. Registration will be required before businesses may apply for a license or permit, the release said.

The city expects the registration process, which is completely paperless, to provide up-to-date contact information for the city to alert businesses to activities that might affect them, such as road construction, special events, emergencies, or street closings.

PHOTO DETECTIVE

Don Peasley snapped a photo of these Little Leaguers in April 2010. From the looks of the adults in the background, the day was pretty nippy out on what appears to be Merryman Fields.

Photo Detectives, can you tell us who these young men are, if they continued to play baseball, and if they still live in Woodstock?

If you are able to identify one or more of these players, please contact our intrepid Photo Detective, Maggie Crane at MaggieC@woodstockil. info.

COURTESY PHOTO

999.00

(offer expires March 31, 2024)

SPRING REFRESH for your home

In-Stock Carpet Ready for Install

Hours: Mon-Thurs 10-6, Fri 10-5, Sat 10-4

Sundays by appointment only Contractors

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

On March 30, 1964, the official flag-raising ceremony was held for Woodstock’s All-America

PICTURE THIS

The McHenry County Historical Society’s Museum, located at 6422 Main St., Union, reopened 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.

City award. Pictured, from left, are Forrest Jensen, Lester Liddell, Arthur Schuld, and Kris Nowaskey, Miss Woodstock. Woodstock was named an All-America City in 1963 by the National Municipal League and Look magazine. The award recognizes cities whose citizens work together to identify and tackle community-wide challenges. Citizen-led activities produced dramatic improvements in the areas of public safety, industrial growth, health care, education, and recreation.

Don Peasley Photo Collection, McHenry County Historical Society

Pet Week of the

To

5-month-old medium breed mix

Mojo came from Kentucky with his four siblings about two months ago. He currently weighs 30 pounds and is the biggest of his litter. A very happy and energetic boy, Mojo likes to collect rocks. He can be a little silly and clumsy, sometimes forgetting how to use his long legs and resembling a baby moose. Mojo enjoys play time, and he is very food motivated. A superfriendly boy, he loves meeting new people. If you are interested in giving this goofy boy a “furever” home, call Helping Paws!!

2500

Isabel’s Restaurant

1110 N. Seminary Ave.

Woodstock Food Mart 1013 N. Seminary Ave.

Kristensen’s Service 230 Washington St.

Woodstock Food & Liquor 501 Washington St.

Woodstock Shell 110 N. Eastwood Dr.

Expressly Leslie 100 S. Johnson St.

Country Cupboard 123 E. South St.

Casting Whimsy 203 N. Madison St.

Read Between the Lynes 111 E. Van Buren St.

Madison Shell 315 N. Madison St

Walgreen’s 305 S. Eastwood Dr.

Jewel-Osco 145 S. Eastwood Dr.

Village Market 3410 Thompson

Celebrity birthday quiz: Which one said it?

I celebrated a birthday last Thursday – I won’t say which one, but it wasn’t a “milestone.” It was on March 14, one day shy of the dreaded “Ides of March.”

I’ve always been intrigued by the fact that several famous people share my birthday, including: Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, prolific movie actor Michael Caine, comedian/ actor Billy Crystal, pro basketball star Steph Curry, undeniably intelligent physicist Albert Einstein, and musician/producer Quincy Jones. Each of them has achieved levels of success we can only dream of. Each has also shared some profound thoughts over the years.

suggest you put the six names on a piece of paper and then put each quote’s number next to the one celebrity who might have said it. Answers are at the bottom of this column, but see how you can do without cheating or Googling. And happy belated birthday to all of them – if only I could have a fraction of their acting skills, athleticism, humor, intelligence, and musical ability, that would be the best birthday present of all!

1. “I want people to understand they have to live their own lives the way they want to and not just do what we do.”

2. “I started with the firm conviction that when I came to the end, I wanted to be regretting the things that I had done, not the things I hadn’t.”

3. “It’s amazing how much trouble you can get in when you don’t have anything else to do.”

7. “Always work hard and have fun in what you do because I think that’s when you’re more successful. You have to choose to do it.”

8. “Stay healthy, have fun with it, and embrace all the moments. Because anything can happen.”

9. “I did everything. I ran my life exactly as I wanted to, all the time. I never listened to anybody. I’m pig-headed.”

10. “I’ve always believed that success for anyone is all about drive, dedication, and desire, but for me, it’s also been about confidence and faith.”

11. “I don’t ever want to grow up. That’s boring.”

12. “Imagine what a harmonious world it could be if every single person, both young and old, shared a little of what he is good at doing.”

13. “In order to be an immaculate member of a flock of sheep, one must above all be a sheep oneself.”

concentrating more, and I can’t do that. It almost makes me overthink a lot of my things. I have to focus on not thinking.”

18. “Sometimes people make it seem like you have to have certain prerequisites or a crazy life story in order to be successful in this world. But the truth is you really don’t.”

19. “Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism – how passionately I hate them!”

20. “What life throws at you –you just have to learn how to hit it, which is a baseball metaphor. The ball’s outside, you hit to the right. You don’t let them go by.”

To have some fun in this month’s column, here’s a quotation quiz you can take on your own or share with your family to let them raise “Caine” or to “Curry” favor with them.

For each of the following statements I found on brainyquote. com, see if you can guess whether it came from Biles, Caine, Crystal, Curry, Einstein, or Jones. I’d

4. “I think it’s like a relay race. You run, and you hand over the baton, and your kids pick it up. They take the stuff they want, throw the rest away, and keep running. That’s what life is about.”

5. “We’re in this together. We are Americans. We all have to do the best we can. And we will because that’s who we are.”

6. “Try not to become a man of success, but rather try to become a man of value.”

14. “Your success is in your point of view. It’s your life that you’re talking about; it’s your observations. That’s the best lesson that I ever had.”

15. “There’s quite a lot of bad stuff written about me. My wife even says a lot of bad stuff about me. But she is wonderful.”

16. “Mozart’s music is so pure and

Paul Lockwood is a communications consultant at Health Care Service Corp. in Chicago, an enthusiastic storyteller, singer, constant punster, occasional local theater actor (e.g., McHenry County College’s current production of Noel Coward’s “Present Laughter,” running through Sunday, March 24), active Grace Lutheran Church and Toastmasters member, theater reviewer, and more. Paul has lived in Woodstock for more than 23 years with his wife, Diane.

Answers: Biles: 7, 8, 17; Caine: 2, 9, 15; Crystal: 4, 5, 14, 20; Curry: 1, 10, 18; Einstein: 6, 13, 16, 19; Jones: 3,

Stylist Leanna Sheahan shows 11-year-old Norah Thomas a first cut of hair during the St. Baldrick’s cancer fundraiser Sunday at the Dorr Township office. By getting her head shaved, Norah raised more than $2,600 at the event, specifically to support her cousin, Nicholas Karasch, 4, who is battling brain cancer.

Paul Lockwood A Musing

CLOSE SHAVE

Happenings calendar

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

WOODSTOCK LAYOVER YARD PROJECT

Open house on proposed move, expansion of Metra rail yard to Woodstock 5-6:30 p.m.

Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren St.

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA

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

woodstockoperahouse.com

22 FRIDAY

BOWLING FOR RESCUES

Benefiting Helping Paws

Kingston Lanes

1330 S. Eastwood Dr. 6 to 10 p.m.

$40

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.

3 and 7:30 p.m.

$43 all seats woodstockoperahouse.com

GOOD VIBRATIONS BENEFIT CONCERT AND DINNER

Unity Spiritual Center 225 W. Calhoun 5 to 9 p.m.

$38

Email Unitywoodstockevents@ gmail.com to order tickets

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.

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

To submit calendar items, email pr@thewoodstockindependent.com

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

13 SATURDAY

INDOOR WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

McHenry County Fairgrounds 11900 Country Club Road

9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

woodstockfarmersmarket.org

STAGE LEFT BEATS FEATURING EDM

Stage Left Café

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

$15 adults, $5 students

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

■ In response to the environmental concerns of Olson Junior High School sixth-graders Kelli Kopsell, Elizabeth Learner, and Megan Marshall, a panel discussion regarding Woodstock School District 200’s use of polystyrene (Styrofoam) products was held in the community room of the Woodstock Square Mall.

■ The D-200 Board of Education approved final construction drawings and specifications for a proposed addition to Northwood Elementary School to be built by the Special Education District of McHenry County.

30 years ago – 1994

■ May Tribute, a Woodstock High School tradition established to teach girls “social graces,” was changed to allow boys to participate and renamed Family Tribute.

■ St. Mary School hosted a jump-athon with students jumping rope to raise money for the American Heart Association.

25 years ago – 1999

■ About 150 people attended a McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals public hearing for a power plant proposed for land south of Woodstock by INDECK Pleasant Valley LLC. The plans included two gas turbine electric generators to be housed in two 50-foot-high buildings. The 300-megawatt producing facility would also require two 70-foot-high venting towers.

20 years ago – 2004

■ Ken Blackburn, holder of the Guinness Book of World Records record for longest time aloft for a paper airplane, presented a paper airplane seminar at the Challenger Learning Center for Science & Technology.

■ Twenty-two Marian Central Catholic High School students attended the University of Chicago’s 18th annual Model United Nations Conference.

■ Woodstock Little League and Woodstock Girls Softball League were teaming up to upgrade the ball diamonds at Olson Middle School.

15 years ago – 2009

■ Woodstock High School’s Battle of the Bands competition was won by I Scream Socialist. Members of the band were Stephen Schuch, lead vocals and

keyboard; Joe Schuch, drums; Dylan McCartin, guitar; and David Shinabarger, bass and vocals.

■ Dearbhla Fay, a professional Irish dancer, was teaching two classes at Woodstock Ballet Studio. Fay, who was born in Ireland, left home at 18 to join the professional “Riverdance” company.

■ Nominated for worst street or road in The Independent coverage area the second week were: “poor little Douglas Street” – a short cut between East Calhoun and East Judd streets; and Davis Road between Dean and South streets.

10 years ago – 2014

■ Centegra Health System announced it would move the maternity ward and some orthopedic services from Memorial Hospital-Woodstock to its McHenry facility. Centegra officials said moving the services would allow for expansion of mental health facilities in Woodstock.

■ Environmental advocate and Woodstock resident Jane Collins lost her fight with pancreatic cancer. For years, she won crusades that led to conservation in the county and inspired others to take action. “To the people, she was a hero,” said Susan Eyre, a close friend of Collins’. “To the government, she was….

a pain in the keister,” said Eyre’s husband, Rich.

■ The WHS music program took third in state for its combined band and choral performance for Class A at the Illinois High School Association Music Solo & Ensemble Contest, winning eight “Best of Day” honors. Paul Rausch directed the choral students; Cody Halberstadt, the band students.

5 years ago – 2019

■ Nearly 3,500 people filled the Woodstock North High School gymnasium for the funeral of McHenry County Deputy Jacob Keltner, who was killed while serving a warrant in Rockford. The funeral procession included more than 800 police vehicles from throughout the Midwest.

■ Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Gwendolyn Brooks was the inspiration for Woodstock’s Atrocious Poets’ National Poetry Month project. The Atrocious Poets invited young and old to seek inspiration outside their own win

performances of the musical “Grease.” “Casts and crews from both schools have been working hard to present this audience favorite,” said tech director Sue Lewis. Thirty-seven students were in the cast.

1 year ago – 2023

■ The city of Woodstock was accepting applications for two incubator retail spots on the first floor of the Old Courthouse Center. Selected businesses were expected to benefit from foot traffic generated by other Old Courthouse Center tenants, including the Public House, visitors center, MobCraft brewpub, and Ethereal event center.

■ Dale Jandron, WNHS varsity boys basketball coach, was honored as “A legend in basketball in Woodstock.” During more than 30 years of coaching, Jandron had touched nearly every level of the game, including boys and girls recreational feeder programs, travel teams, and freshman to varsity teams at St. Mary Catholic School, WHS, and WNHS. Jandron was retiring,

SUDOKU

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

ACRE AERIAL AEROPONICS

AGRICULTURAL AGROECOLOGY BALE

BIODYNAMIC BORDER

WORD SEARCH

BROADCAST BUCKING

BUSHEL

CALVES

CARRYOVER COMPOST

CULTIVATION

CYCLE

FARMING

FIELDS

GRAINS

IRRIGATION

LAND

ORGANIC PESTICIDE SEEDING

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, March 20, 2024)L11750

PUBLIC NOTICE

TAX DEED NO. 2024TX000028

FILED February 26, 2024

TAKE NOTICE

TO: JOSEPH J. TIRIO, MCHENRY COUNTY CLERK; OCCUPANT; MARCY 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

9877-940682

(Published in The Woodstock Independent March 20, 2024)L11751

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

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, March 20, 2024)L11757

PUBLIC NOTICE

CHANGE OF BUSINESS/OWNER(S) ADDRESS

Public Notice is hereby given that on March 15, A.D. 2024, a Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of McHenry County IL concerning the business known as IRON R FARRIER SERVICE located at 1504 LEE LN., SPRING GROVE, IL 60081 which certificate sets forth the following BUSINESS/OWNER ADDRESS change in the DBA thereof: Wyatt Rowan Raisor changing business and residential addresses for IRON R FARRIER

SERVICE from 7705 S. Oak Rd., Wonder Lake, IL 60097 to 1504 Lee Ln., Spring Grove, IL 60081.

Dated this 15th day of March, A.D., 2024

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent March 20, 2024)L11760

PUBLIC NOTICE

SENECA TOWNSHIP

16506 Garden Valley Rd. Woodstock, Illinois Board of Trustees

2024-2025

Meeting Notice

Regular Monthly Meetings

April 9, 2024 - following the Annual

Town Meeting

May 14, 2024 - 6:30 p.m.

June 11, 2024 - 6:15 p.m. - 2024-25

Budget Hearings

June 11, 2024 - 6:30 p.m.

July 9, 2024 - 6:30 p.m.

August 13, 2024 - 6:30 p.m.

September 10, 2024- 6:30 p.m.

October 8, 2024 - 6:30 p.m.

November 12, 2024 - 6:30 p.m.

December 10, 2024 - 6:30 p.m.

January 14, 2025 - 6:30 p.m.

February 11, 2025 - 6:30 p.m.

March 11, 2025 - 6:30 p.m.

April 8, 2025 - Following Annual Town Meeting

Annual Town Meeting

April 8, 2025 - 6:30 P.M.

Budget Hearing Meetings

June 11, 2025 - 6:15 P.M. - Town Fund & Road District Fund

Dawn M. Seemann

Seneca Township Clerk (Published in The Woodstock Independent March 20, 2024)L11761

PUBLIC NOTICE

SENECA TOWNSHIP

16506 Garden Valley Rd. Woodstock, Illinois

AGENDA ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

April 9, 2024 6:30 pm

Call to Order: Town Clerk, Dawn Seemann , Pledge of Allegiance Call for nominations for Moderator by Dawn Seemann, Town Clerk

a] Call for motion to close nominations

b] Vote for Moderator

Administer Oath of Office for Moderator by Town Clerk

Introduction of Township Officials

Purpose of Annual Town

Meeting----transacting such business as the electors are by law authorized to transact.

Moderator entertains the following:

a] Reading and approval of the minutes of the 2023 Annual Town Meeting

b] Motion to set the 2024-2025 fiscal year for the Township as April 1, 2024 thru March 31, 2025

c] Motion to set the date for the 2025 Annual Town Meeting, second Tuesday of April 8, 2025

Reading Supervisor’s Annual Report for Township & Road District for fiscal year April 1, 2023—March 31, 2024 by Town Clerk

Other business to come before the meeting

Motion to adjourn

(Published in The Woodstock Independent March 20, 2024)L11762

PUBLIC NOTICE

ANNUAL TOWN MEETING

Notice is Hereby Given To the legal voters, residents of the Town of Seneca Township in the county of McHenry and the State of Illinois, that the Annual Town Meeting of said Town will take place on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 being the second Tuesday of the said month at 6:30 P.M. at the Seneca Township Building, 16506 Garden Valley Road, Woodstock, Il for the transaction of the miscellaneous business of the said town; and after a Moderator having been elected, will proceed to hear and consider reports of officers, and decide on such measures as may, in pursuance of law, come before the meeting.

(Published in The Woodstock Independent March 20, 2024)L11763

Sports

The girls of fall

IHSA to debut girls flag football state series this year, but no Woodstock teams, yet

By Sandy Kucharski NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

High school girls in Illinois will get a chance to play under the lights this fall after a recent announcement from Illinois High School Association that girls flag football will debut as an IHSA state series.

The inaugural postseason will culminate with the crowning of an IHSA girls flag football state champion in the fall of 2024.

“It’s really cool to see the game growing,” said Liam Kerwin, Marian Central Catholic High School head boys football coach. “I think this is ultimately a good thing for the game of football, to be able to include women in the love of the game and continue to grow our sport in our area and the entire world.”

Marian has no plans to field a team this fall, but Kerwin said maybe in the future. Likewise, no plans are currently in place for any District 200 school teams.

Creating opportunities

“The addition of girls flag football furthers the IHSA mission of creating participation opportunities for high school students in Illinois,”

IHSA Executive Director Craig Anderson said in a press release. “The sport has experienced significant growth in a short amount of time, and our member schools are excited to see it become an IHSA sport.”

Girls flag football joins a growing list of sports and activities that have recently conducted their inaugural IHSA state series, including girls wrestling (2022), esports (2022), boys and girls lacrosse (2018), and competitive dance (2013).

The IHSA reported it has commitments from more than 100 schools to participate in the inaugural state series in 2024, while nearly 40 other schools have expressed that they anticipate fielding a team in 2025.

Support from NFL

“By providing opportunities for talented girls and women, we will be able to follow some of the world’s best athletes competing on local, national and international platforms, leading to the 2028 Summer Olympics,” Chicago Bears President and CEO Kevin Warren said in a press release. “The Chicago Bears remain committed to aggressively championing the growth of girls’ flag

football. This is the beginning, but access and equity begin with these historical first moments that make the Chicago Bears, and me personally, inspired for the future of girls’ flag football for generations to come.”

Marian’s Kerwin supports the NFL’s efforts.

Girls line up in a flag football game last fall as part of Marian Central’s homecoming festivities. Although this was a powder puff game, girls flag football is now a recognized IHSA sport.

“I think the work the NFL has done both internationally and [for] women within our own country has created even more popularity for the game, which results in more participation,” Kerwin said. “I think if women are given the opportunity to love the game, it will create even more buy-in on the tackle side of the game because now both mothers and fathers have a love for this great game of football.”

Through the Marian Junior ’Canes program, Kerwin noted, a few girls have participated in the youth flag football program, so there is interest in the area.

Looking for officials

Recruiting for officials has begun.

The IHSA hopes to recruit some new officials to the sport, while also having current IHSA officials in other sports add licenses to referee girls flag football as well.

Individuals interested in becoming officials for IHSA girls flag football can begin licensing on May 1, 2024.

The inaugural IHSA girls flag football state finals this fall will take place on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 18-19.

Lady ’Canes get tough in flag football.

Dominique Thomas is 60m dash champion in Horizon League

Dominique Thomas’ win in the 60-meter dash in the Horizon League Indoor Championship was hardly unexpected.

The actual race took the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee junior only 7.44 seconds to complete. The Marian Central Catholic graduate won the race by 12/100ths of a second, as Youngstown State University senior Cyncere Cunningham finished in :07.56.

“I knew I had the best time coming into the finals as I ran the fastest prelim time the day prior,” said Thomas, who finished the 60-meter prelim in :07.46. “I knew if I executed my race plan, I would have a strong chance of winning. I was happy to put 10 points on the board for our team to help us win the team title.”

The Wisconsin-Milwaukee Lady Panthers won that title with 171 points.

“Since I have been a part of the Lady Panthers, we have wanted to win a conference title,” said Thomas, who has helped them finish second and third previously. “It is great to be a part of the team and with these women that did it.”

Thomas was not done putting points on the board. The Lake in the Hills resident also took second in the 200meter dash, breaking the tape at :24.30. Northern Kentucky University sophomore Meredith Goff won the race in :24.29.

BOYS WRESTLING

■ March 9-10 – Woodstock North wrestlers competed in the IWCOA State Wrestling Tournament. Logan Wisner placed 8th and Briana Crown, 6th. David Randecker finished one win short of a medal, making top 12 in the bracket.

GIRLS SOCCER

■ March 11 - Woodstock North (0-1) fell to Antioch (2-0) 4-1.

■ March 12 - Woodstock (0-1) fell to Saint Viator (1-0) 7-1.

■ March 13 - Woodstock (1-1) defeated Rockford Auburn (0-1) 8-0.

■ March 14 - Marian (1-0) defeated Genoa-Kingston (1-1) 1-0.

■ March16 - Woodstock (1-1-1) tied with Boylan C atholic (0-1-1) 1-1.

SOFTBALL

■ March 11 - Marian (0-1) fell to

“I was really hoping to win the 200meter title as well,” Thomas said. “The great thing was being able to put up eight more points. This is the first time I have made the conference final in 200-meter. It motivates me for the outdoor season.”

Ryan Jones (Marian Central Catholic) scored points for the University of Illinois-Springfield in the Great Lakes Valley Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships, which were held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds and Event Center in Indianapolis. He finished sixth in the mile run, breaking the tape at 4:18.27. He also competed in the 800-meter run and the 3,000meter run, finishing 14th and 16th, respectively. He ran respective times of 1:59.88 and 8:55.15. Illinois-Springfield

took ninth with 21 points. Lewis University won the meet with 196 points.

Anthony Carney (Marian Central Catholic) helped the University of Dubuque win the Sol Butler Classic on the men’s level. The outing, which was hosted by Carney’s school, was held at the A.Y. McDonald Indoor Track in Dubuque, Iowa. Carney took second in the 3,000-meter run, finishing in 8:52.40. Dubuque scored 223 points. The University of Wisconsin-Platteville took second with 126 points.

In the Keck Select, which was held at Shirk Center on the campus of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Carney ran the 5,000-meter run in 15:37.75, which was good for fourth. Dubuque took second in the eight team meet, scoring 83 points. Illinois State University took first with 118 points.

SWIMMING

Haley Halsall (Woodstock North), an Indiana State University swimmer, took fourth in the 200-yard butterfly at the Missouri Valley Conference Swimming Championships. The conference outing was hosted by the University of Evansville and held at the Deaconess Aquatic Center in Evansville. She touched the wall at 2:03.05.

The Sycamore swimmer also took sixth in the 1,650-yard freestyle and 11th in the 500-yard freestyle. She finished the 1,650-yard freestyle in 17:01.24 and the 500-yard freestyle in 4:55.78. Indiana State took second with 1,294.5 points. Missouri State University won the women’s conference title with 1,463.5 points.

Isabelle Halsall (Woodstock North), a St. Norbert College swimmer,

NN SCOREBOARD NN

Hampshire (1-0) 8-2.

■ March 12 - Marian (1-1) defeated Rockford Lutheran (0-2) 7-3.

■ March 12 - Woodstock North (1-0) defeated Belvidere North (1-1) 12-4.

■ March 13 - Marian (2-1) defeated Christ the King (0-1) 18-2.

■ March 15 - Marian (2-2) fell to Crystal Lake Central (1-1) 6-0.

■ March15 - Woodstock (0-1) fell to Libertyville (1-1) 17-3.

■ March 15 - Woodstock North (1-1) fell to Libertyville (2-1) 2-1.

■ March 15 - Woodstock (0-2) fell to Lakes (2-2) 15-0.

■ March 16 - Woodstock (0-3) fell to Guilford (1-0) 15-0.

BASEBALL

■ March 12 - Woodstock North (0-1) fell to Belvidere North (1-0) 11-4.

■ March 13 - Woodstock North (0-2) fell

finished in the top 10 in three events at the Midwest Conference Championships. Grinnell College served as the host at the Osgood Pool in Grinnell, Iowa. St. Norbert took second with 733 points. Grinnell won with 864 points.

Halsall took fifth in the 1,650-yard freestyle, touching the wall in 18:36.33. She was 10th in both the 200-yard backstroke (2:15.45) and 500-yard freestyle (5:21.99).

SOFTBALL

Ellie Thurow (Woodstock North), a Coe College pitcher, earned two more wins recently, improving her pitching record to 5-1 on the year. In a 5-0 blanking of Meredith College, Thurow limited Meredith to just three hits. She fanned eight and walked two. The hurler limited the University of Saint Joseph to just one earned run on one hit in six innings of work. She struck out 10 batters and walked two in the 7-1 Coe triumph. Coe is 8-3.

LACROSSE

Diego Ortiz and Matthew Brunken (both Marian Central Catholic), have earned varsity time in the first five games for Benedictine University lacrosse. Benedictine is 1-4. In the lone win, a 19-11 victory over Augustana College, Ortiz assisted the 19th and final Benedictine goal of the game, which was scored at the 2:11 mark of the fourth period. It was the only game he has appeared in so far. Brunken, a defensive player, has played in four games. He has one shot on goal and six ground balls.

Dan Chamness writes The College Report for The Independent.

to North Boone (0-1) 10-0.

■ March 13 - Marian (1-0) defeated Westminster Christian (0-1) 5-2.

■ March 13 - Woodstock (0-1) fell to Wauconda (1-0) 7-2.

■ March 15 - Woodstock (1-1) defeated Belvidere North (1-2) 8-5.

■ March 16 - Woodstock (2-1) defeated Belvidere (0-3) 20-9.

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

■ March 9 - Woodstock finished 5th at the Hononegah Classic. Senior Tyler Moon won the shot put. Nolan Van Hoorn placed in 3 events (long jump 5th, 60 dash 2nd, and 200 5th). The relay teams medaled. Milo McLeer finished 3rd in the 3,200, and Charlie Baker ran 4th.

■ March 16 – Woodstock finished 3rd out of 30 teams at the Nelson/Danielson Classic at UW Whitewater, placing first in 4 events. Event winners included Tyler

Moon in the shot put, the 4x800 relay (Ellery Shutt, Aryan Patel, Cohen Shutt, Ishan Patel) and 4x400 relay (Cohen Shutt, Braedon Schwanke, Sam Tafoya, Ishan Patel), and Nolan Van Hoorn in the 55m dash.

Dan Chamness The College Report

COURTESY PHOTO

Dominique Thomas sprints indoors for UW-Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

Rick Peterson to head up Marian’s boys varsity basketball team

Marian Central Catholic High School named Rick Peterson as their new boys varsity basketball coach.

Peterson, 66, has coached on and off for a total of twenty-four years at Hebron High, Woodstock High School, and McHenry County College.

Basketball has always been a big part of his life. In 1979, he averaged 30 points a game as an MCC athlete and was given a full ride to Regis University in Colorado.

After college, Peterson returned to MCC to coach, and in the late ’80/early ’90s led the team to two conference championships. They were the first team in the college’s history to accomplish this.

Since then, he has coached for both Hebron High and Woodstock High School. Both programs were struggling when he arrived and he was able to bring each of them up to third in their conference within two years.

He is confident that Marian’s boys basketball team will be competitive.

“We’re gonna have fun, but first we need to put in the work,” he says. “The kids are athletic, they just need more floor time.”

He replaces Sean Stochl.

WNHS athletic director David Rose to leave in June after three years

District 200 has begun the search for a new athletic director for Woodstock North High School following the resignation of the current AD, David Rose, who will be leaving at the end of June.

Rose said he has accepted the role of associate principal of athletics at Downers Grove North High School. A staff member at North since 2015, Rose officially took the reins as the school’s AD on July 1, 2021.

Rose used a holistic approach as he navigated the first full post-COVID season for the school, returning to a near-normal schedule.

Registration open for MCC ScotStars sports camps in volleyball, softball

McHenry County College has opened registration for its summer sports program, ScotStars. The camp offers sessions in volleyball and softball.

Volleyball camp runs June 17 to 19 and provides instruction on passing, setting, digging, attacking, blocking, and serving.

The session for girls in grades 9–12 runs from 8–10 a.m., and 10:30 a.m.–noon for boys and girls in grades 6–8. The cost for the camp for 6–8th-graders costs $75 per person. The program for 9–12th graders costs $90. Specialty camps for setters/hitters and passing/ defense are also available in the afternoon on June 17 at $30 each. All volleyball camps are led by MCC’s volleyball coaching staff.

The softball camp, led by Wally Warner, MCC’s head women’s softball coach, and members of MCC’s softball team, runs June 24-27.

Campers will receive instruction to help their overall game with drills in hitting, infield defense, outfield defense, and pitching. The program for girls entering grades 6–8 runs from 9–11 a.m., and from 1–3 p.m. for those entering grades 9–11. The camp costs $75 per person.

To register for ScotStars, visit www.mchenry.edu/ scotstars.

‘Camaraderie is an all-time high’

Woodstock North soccer in a rebuilding period early in season

By Julian Senn-Raemont NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

John Sullivan returns as head coach for Woodstock North High School’s varsity girls soccer team. The Thunder made significant improvements in their second outing, an away game against McHenry. As for now, the team is taking it one match at a time.

“We lost some really talented seniors last year,” Sullivan said. “So we’re still trying to put it together and develop the early part of the season.”

Last year ended with a loss in the first playoff round, but the new team is confident that this year “is a new day.” Camaraderie is at an all-time high, and team culture is strong.

“The seniors are doing a great job coaching up the new varsity players,” Sullivan said.

Half of the program’s players are new to the varsity level.

Star newcomers Serena Banushi and Abby Ward have “made an immediate impact on the team.”

They’ll join Addison Rishling, Adelynn Saunders, Stella Splendoria, Emma Svitak, and Gracie Duenas, who all return as standout competitors to the varsity squad.

ALMOST HOME

COURTESY PHOTO

A Woodstock North’s Addison Rishling mirrors her opponent in the Thunder home opener March 11. WNHS fell to Antioch 4-1.

Woodstock North senior Teagan Kirk makes a play at home March 12 at the Thunder’s home opener. WNHS fell to Belvidere North 11-4

Dani Hansen, a senior at Woodstock North High School, is a 3-year captain. She is an incredible leader and a huge supporter of her teammates. Over the winter, Dani worked hard to get ready for the track season, and she saw it pay off at the first indoor meet of the season. She broke the school long jump record with a jump of 16 feet, 3 inches. Her coaches are excited to see where the rest of the season takes her.

Blue Streaks catcher junior Trevor Cote stretches his legs.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER Woodstock High School baseball had spring-like weather for their home opener March 13 at Emricson Park’s Dream Field. The Streaks fell to visitor Wauconda 7-2.

Junior Everett Flannery (above) attempts to tag a runner.

Sophomore Devon Haggerty makes a catch.