Woodstock Independent 4/3/24

Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT

St. Mary students rock socks to support special classmate

After 10 years, goal-setting D-200 superintendent looks back

By Caryl Dierksen

Michael Moan is a man who believes in setting goals.

It works well for him, given the many responsibilities he juggles as superintendent of Woodstock School District 200.

Last month, with no fanfare, Moan

marked the 10-year anniversary of his hiring. Though his official starting date was July 1, he began his transition months earlier. And, yes, he immediately began setting goals.

Now, a decade later, the Woodstock High School alum remains happy with his decision to come home, he said, as he tackles his everexpanding list of goals.

SCRAMBLE FOR EGGS

“I love the work,” he said. “It’s a hard job, but a meaningful one.”

Moan began with three major goals: to implement one-to-one technology (a program that provides a laptop for each student); to improve students’ literacy scores; and to reduce the district’s remaining debt from the 2006 construction loans

WHS, WNHS spring musical preparing to really get ‘Mean’ PAGE 11

We have all of the latest Buzz on the local business scene

Public House closes permanently

By Larry Lough LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Just months after signing a five-year lease, Public House has closed its restaurant on the lower level of the cityowned Old Courthouse Center. No official announcement was made, but a hand-printed sign that said “closed” was taped to the front door after closing time Saturday night. In a Facebook post Sunday, Mayor

Mike Turner confirmed the news, calling the closing a “surprise and disappointment.” But he said the city would enforce terms of the lease and the forgivable loan the restaurant owners received from the city last year to survive being closed during renovation of the complex.

“We are taking appropriate and necessary steps to protect the interests of the city that were purposely put into the lease contract,” he wrote.

“I will also say that we will look to find another restaurant that can go into that space as soon as we are able.”

That could be easier because the city owns the restaurant equipment.

Declaring Public House “critical to the success” of the Old Courthouse renovation, city officials approved a $389,000 forgivable loan to help the business survive a five-month shutdown starting in October. But

MOAN

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to build the district’s three newest school buildings.

Tackling technology

The superintendent accomplished his technology goal first, with timing that would prove to be crucial. When COVID-19 forced schools to close in March 2020, students and teachers had the devices they needed for distance learning.

Moan credits cooperation among the staff, students, and parents for making online instruction work as well as possible. He is also grateful to a “committed school board” and to the community for its support.

But when the schools reopened in February 2021, students and staff found that time had not stood still. “All of the students were impacted in some way,” Moan observed. “It was not enough to simply move forward as if nothing had happened.”

Many students returned with learning gaps, some also with emotional issues. The district addressed their needs with new programs and staff. On the elementary level, extra reading instruction and small groups focusing on individual needs became part of the school day. Middle school and high school students were given extra support for their math skills. High school students were offered additional help to prepare for the SAT test.

The district also hired more social workers and a behavior specialist. The costs of all of these interventions, Moan said, were covered completely by federal relief funds for pandemic support.

Another great need, one that made reopening the schools difficult, was a severe shortage of bus drivers, classroom associates, and substitute

PUBLIC HOUSE

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construction surprises in the 19th century Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House & Jail delayed the targeted April 1 completion last year until mid-summer.

The loan, which swelled to around $400,000 when the building was finished on time, was forgivable if the restaurant stayed in business for five years.

The council voted 6-1 in June 2022 to approve a new 36-page lease with Public House owners. They had signed a 15-year lease when they first moved into the Old Courthouse in 2014.

Terms of the agreement included

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

During a recent Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Mike Moan congratulates Olin Wiedel, a Northwood Middle School student who finished second in the state wrestling tournament.

teachers. Moan said his own biggest pandemic challenge was hiring enough staff in these areas.

So, where do things stand today?

“There has been great energy postpandemic,” Moan said. “Kids worked hard, and families were committed. We are in a great spot and getting better all the time.”

Now he can return to one of his favorite parts of the job, visiting classrooms. One day each week, he spends time in one of the schools,

forgiveness of $39,200 in past-due rent for use of the ground floor of the historic building and of a $350,000 business interruption loan.

In recognition of disruption of the restaurant’s business during the renovation, the city also waived rent payments from Feb. 1, 2022, until the restaurant moved into its remodeled space.

The city had earlier renegotiated the restaurant’s lease as a result of business disruption during the pandemic.

City officials acknowledged the agreement with Public House, the only tenant of the Old Courthouse when remodeling closed the building, had involved “difficult decisions and compromises” in negotiations.

“Both the proposed event space

district’s fund balance, they avoided repayment spikes that threatened to explode the tax levy

Moan said that after this year’s payment on 2006 construction loans that paid for three new school buildings, that part of the debt will be about $22.5 million. And next year the board of education will have the opportunity to pay off those bonds, leaving smaller payments over the next decade.

“The debt payment for next year will pay off our two years of debt bubbles,” he said. “After next year we still have yearly payments until 2039 around, $68 million total.”

‘Made much growth’

The superintendent has made significant progress on his original goals. But rather than checking one off, he tends to expand it. Take, for example, his student literacy goal.

“We have made much growth,” he said, “but we still have a long way to go.”

In addition to literacy, his updated list of goals includes implementing a new, districtwide math curriculum; partnering with the new four-year university, McHenry County College’s University Center; expanding options for trade-oriented students; and increasing support for the mental health of students and staff.

where he and the assistant superintendent meet with the principal and then spend time with teachers and in classrooms.

Fixing finances

Moan also is devoting a lot of time to his goal of financial responsibility.

In recent years, he and the board have had to address a back-loaded school construction debt that exceeded $160 million. Through timely refinancing and use of the

[Ethereal] and proposed brewery [MobCraft] will rely on catering from [Public House],” according to a staff report in 2022 by Danielle Gulli, the city’s executive director of business development. “… Having a restaurant tenant … benefits other tenants in the building as well as the community, by having this highly visible space filled with a viable business that will bring additional visitors to the Old Courthouse.”

Construction manager Bulley & Andrews of Chicago was tentatively scheduled to have the buildings ready for occupancy by tenants on March 31, 2023. Total cost for restoration and renovation of the 19th century buildings approached $22 million over more than five years.

Moan works hard and works long hours, but he is not complaining. His days are no longer now than when he was teaching and coaching, he said.

Away from the job, he likes to spend time with his wife, Paula, and their family. He especially enjoys travel, live music, and sports.

Proud to be the fourth generation of his family to call Woodstock home, Moan said, “Coming back felt right. I want to be part of the community that gave me so much.”

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

A hand-printed sign taped to a door of Public House Sunday announces the closing of the ground-floor restaurant in the Old Courthouse Center.

OBITUARIES

Anna Marie Hunter, 93

Anna Marie Hunter, 93, of Woodstock, died unexpectedly on Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024, after a wonderful, happy day enjoying the beautiful sunset, making exciting plans for the future, and radiating joy, in the arms of her daughter, Evelyn, with her family near and far with her in spirit.

Anna Marie Hunter

She was born on May 29, 1930, in McHenry to Emil and Hermina (Schwarz) Herdrich, the youngest of seven children. She was born deep in the Great Depression and told amazing childhood stories: of her father’s immigration from Rust, Germany, in 1924 to provide a new life for his family; of her mother and her three young children’s trip across the ocean to Ellis Island in 1927, when they spoke no English; and of her life on the farm up on the hill. Stories of picking rocks out of the field with a horse and plow with her brother John; of waking up on a winter morning with her sister Marge with a glass of water frozen on their dresser; of the special homemade Springerle that Aunt Louise would bring out from the city. She endured a hard life that got only harder as her family barn burned down twice, and her brother Fred left for Iwo Jima in World War II. Through it all, Ann maintained a positive, kind spirit. In high school her nickname was “Giggles,” she loved athletics and home economics, and she was beloved by all. Ann was very independent at a young age, going to work as a summer housekeeper on McCollum Lake when she was a senior in high school, and upon graduation from McHenry High School in 1949, she lived in town as a house-sitter while she worked as a bookkeeper at Hester’s Service Station.

Ann’s childhood dream was to be a farmer’s wife and mother, a dream that came true when she met Everett Hunter on St. Patrick’s Day 1950. Ann and Everett had grown up on farms with adjoining fence lines, but she was a St. Mary Catholic School girl, and he was a one-room

country school boy, and their paths did not cross until they were introduced by their siblings, Jim Hunter and Marge Granath, who were dating. It was love at first sight, and the two married on Oct. 28, 1950, the 30th anniversary of Everett’s parents Donald and Laura Hunter. Ann moved up to Hartland to live with Everett’s family on the farm, and soon her childhood dream became a reality, with five children, 10 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Ann worked endless hours to raise five children, take care of the house, maintain a large garden, and support Everett as he started his own business as a welder and mechanic. During Everett’s years of sharpening saws, Ann was his righthand woman, running the “saw route” every Wednesday and Saturday. In later years they opened Hunter’s Fine Handcarved Wood Signs, and she was once again Everett’s right-hand woman as she shared in painting and installing the signs. She spent endless hours tending her cherished rose gardens, many of which are the same she planted decades ago. She dearly loved nature, birds, crosscountry skiing, being out in the fresh air, water-color painting, and was always up for an adventure, even at 93. Ann loved to travel, visiting Evelyn in California and New York, visiting her son Dan in Colorado, her son Pat in California and southern Illinois, her son Tony in southern Illinois and Wisconsin, her daughter Judy in Libertyville, and of course visited the Grand Old Opry in Nashville. In her last years she was an unwavering supporter of her devoted grandson Jack, and never missed one of his band concerts, track meets, honors ceremonies, or other events. Ann and Evelyn spent the last five years of Ann’s life together every day, finding gratitude with every morning and joy with every beautiful sunset. They were the best of friends and kindred spirits; working in the gardens, exploring nature preserves, walking with her dogs, Bronte and Arwen, at the dam at Brookdale Conservation Area, going on road trips, and visiting family. Most of all, Ann loved her family and kept every card, note, drawing or photo ever sent to her. Ann was kind, gentle, supportive, sweet, wise, funny, goodhearted, pious, a hard worker, and

is deeply missed by her family who loved her so much.

Ann is survived by her five children, Tony (Jan) Hunter, Pat Hunter, Judy (Glenn) Craver, Dan Hunter, and Evelyn Hunter; her 10 grandchildren, Todd (Sarah) Hunter, Ryan (Laura) Hunter, Joy (Chris) Sawlsville, Charity (Darrin) Rogers, Jeremy (Brittany) Hunter, Lisa (Bret) Armstrong, Laura Craver, Ariel Granat, Jack Granat, and Ellie Granat; 13 great- grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly for her kindness, spirit, and thoughtfulness.

Ann was preceded in death in 2019 by her husband of 68 years, Everett; her parents, Emil and Hermina; her brothers, Fred and John, and her sisters, Pauline, Hilda, Gertrude, and Marge.

A celebration of life will be held on June 8, 2024, at the place of so many happy memories for her, the Brookdale Conservation Area in Harvard, Ill., from 2 to 4 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Ann’s friends at Georgia’s Place Bird Sanctuary in Harvard, GeorgiasPlaceBirdSanctuary.org.

Joyce B. Shook, 90

It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our dear mother.

Joyce B. Shook, 90, of Woodstock, passed away on March 18, 2024, at her home in Woodstock.

She was born Aug. 3, 1933, in Woodstock, to Aloysius and Edith Helen (Loeffel) Berna, was raised on a dairy farm, and was the oldest of five children. She attended a one-room schoolhouse on Davis Road and graduated from Woodstock High School in 1951.

She married Bob Shook in Woodstock on Oct. 20, 1956, had four children, and was married for 66 years before Bob passed away on Nov. 24, 2022.

Joyce is a third generation member of Grace Lutheran Church, where she taught

Sunday school and played the piano for the kids, and was a long-time member of the Chancel Choir. Joyce and Bob joined the Tape Group with other church couples to meet and discuss select movies, and those couples became lifelong friends.

Joyce worked at the State Bank of Woodstock; as a School District 200 lunchroom aide; and then as the Dorr Township clerk for four terms before her retirement.

There was nothing more important to Joyce than family and friends. You could always find her in the kitchen whipping up something good. She was not happy unless you left full!

Joyce was a devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, and a very proud great- grandmother. She doted on all her grandchildren every chance she could, attended all activities and functions, making them all feel so special; nothing made her happier than being with them.

Joyce is survived by her children, Robin Gibbs, Robert (Deb) Shook, Raymond (Karen) Shook, and Roxane (Trevor) Tillman; her grandchildren, Neil (Loran) Gibbs, Helen (Marc) Emery, Eric (Aimee) Gibbs, Josh Tillman, Daniel Shook, Justin Tillman, Matthew Shook, and Stephanie Shook; her great- grandchildren, Annabelle Gibbs, Madelyn Emery, Quintin Emery, Lark Gibbs, Aubrey Emery, Maren Gibbs, and Rory Gibbs; her sisters, Joanne (Al) Fischer and Pat Haning (Jim Martin); sister-in-law, Lou Shook; brotherin-law, John Hoyt; as well as many loving and caring nieces, nephews, cousins, and countless friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her dear husband, and her brothers, William Berna and David Berna.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, April 4, 2024, at the Grace Lutheran Church, 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock, from 9 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial service. Interment services will be private.

Memorials may be made to the Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock.

For more information, contact the Schneider, Leucht, Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home at 815-338-1710 or visit slmcfh.com.

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

Woodstock Police Department

■ Samuel J. Caccamo III, 54, Woodstock, was arrested March 17 in the 700 block of Leah Lane on charges of domestic battery (two counts) and aggravated battery to a police officer. Taken to jail. No bond. Court date to be set.

■ Jessie J. Leeseberg, 31, Woodstock, was arrested March 18 in the 1500 block of Seminary Avenue on charges of criminal damage to property.

Released with notice to appear in court. Court date May 2.

■ Flavio Gonzalez Morales, 29, Woodstock, was arrested March 18 at Main and Cass streets on charges of driving with a revoked license and expired registration. Released with notice to appear in court. Court date April 25.

■ Female juvenile, 17, Woodstock, was arrested March 16 at Cobblestone Way and Eastwood Drive. Released to parent. Court date April 11.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

Ambulance runs March 21-27: 77

Fire runs

Structure fire: 1

Vehicle fire: 1

Combustible spills/leaks: 1

Smoke/odor problem: 1

Public service assistance: 8

Dispatched/canceled en route: 4

Wrong location/no emergency found: 1

Malicious false alarm/call: 1

System/detector malfunction: 3

Unintentional system/detector: 4

Total: 102

Joyce B. Shook

STATIONS OF THE CROSS

On Good Friday, the most solemn day of the year for Catholics, the Hispanic community of St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock reenacts the crucifixion of Jesus as part of Easter weekend activities. The event, commemorating the 14 Stations of the Cross, was held at the St. Mary School football field. Stations of the Cross refers to the events on the way to Christ’s Calvary.

Local man charged with threats against officials

Woodstock Police and the McHenry County SWAT team set up a “security perimeter” Friday morning before arresting a local man on three counts of threatening a public official, a class 3 felony.

Brandon M. Smith, 39, was arrested without incident about 7 a.m. Friday in the 600 block of Brink Street, according to a news release from Woodstock Police Chief John Lieb.

The release said Smith had become “increasingly hostile” in communications with police and city staff members after his firearms owner identification card had been revoked.

State gives county jail clean inspection report

No instances of noncompliance with state standards were found in a

recent review of the health and safety standards of the McHenry County Jail.

According to a news release from Sheriff Rob Tadelman, the annual review by the Illinois Department of Corrections noted more staff had been hired for 2024 and the jail had bought new mattresses and clothing since the last inspection.

The report by Criminal Justice Specialist Sara Johnson, based on her compliance visit at the jail on Feb. 15, made no recommendations for improvements.

“We applaud the hard work of our Corrections Bureau for ensuring the McHenry County Jail meets or exceeds IDOC standards,” Tadelman said in the release.

Launch party next week for sci-fi horror story

“Ghost Station,” a book by local author S.A. Barnes, will have a launch party at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 9, at Read Between The Lynes bookstore, 111 E. Van Buren S.

Barnes will discuss the book and her inspiration to write sci-fi horror.

“Ghost Station,” Barnes’ second book in this genre, is available from Read Between The Lynes for pre-order and releases on April 9. Those who preorder will be entered to win a $50 store gift certificate. Details can be found at readbetweenthelynes.com.

Brandon M. Smith

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

These days, security cameras required in public

Most people who drive through the Square probably don’t know the Woodstock Police Department is monitoring their vehicles.

Years ago a license plate reader was installed downtown, the first of which is now a small army of about 10 such devices that have been mounted along the city’s streets and highways.

Plate readers record vehicles’ license numbers, comparing them against a database of stolen cars and trucks as well as those that might have been involved in a recent crime. Or, if a crime is committed in the area, police have a record of vehicles that have recently traveled our streets. Numbers are deleted after about 30 days.

Police are getting ready to install the next level of technology downtown as part of a campaign to increase safety and security around the Square.

Two security cameras will be positioned to monitor movements of people and vehicles on two of the area’s most active streets – Main and Benton streets, where restaurants and taverns draw people during the day and late into the night.

Those recording cameras, Police Chief John Lieb says, will be as invisible as the scanner that focuses on license plates.

“A lot of people,” Lieb told The Independent, “won’t even know they’re there.”

That might be right, though it’s no secret where the cameras will be placed.

One will be mounted on top of the train station, keeping an eye on Main Street. The other will be attached to a streetlight pole at Church and Clay streets, trained on the outdoor dining, drinking, and partying area of North

New township building a decade in the making

Dorr Township’s annual meeting is next week, on Tuesday, April 9. And I am inviting all Dorr residents to come and be part of their township. At this year’s meeting, the township will present details on a proposed building project for the township’s Highway Operations.

When

Benton Street.

In a news release, the chief said the next phase of security technology will address the double-edged sword of the city’s success in drawing “large numbers of people” into the downtown for activities and events. Those crowds tend to create “an increased number of incidents of inappropriate or criminal behavior,” Lieb suggested.

The “multi-focal” camera system houses multiple cameras within a single device, with each camera having different optical focus lenses set to monitor various distances. Video management software then meshes the individual images into a single

The proposal is to replace the current pole barn at 12322 Davis Road, Woodstock, with two buildings to be used for vehicle maintenance, vehicle storage, and office space for Highway Operations staff. This is the second phase of the construction project that was approved and started in 2012.

In the 1970s, Dorr Township Highway Operations built pole barns as quick, inexpensive solutions to their facility needs.

image to provide an overall view, Lieb explained, as well as providing the ability to zoom into an area to provide more detail.

Data from the cameras will be stored by equipment inside the train station for transmission to the police department for use in investigations.

And Lieb said once technical problems are solved regarding data storage, more cameras will be mounted to monitor the Park in the Square.

It is unfortunate that this is where we are. But as the mass shooting at Highland Park’s Fourth of July parade in 2022 so tragically demonstrated, any belief that we live in a sheltered,

And that worked for nearly 40 years. In 2012, the township built three new buildings. However, the township put a hold on replacing the last pole barn until the time that the funding could be accumulated to minimize the impact on the township residents.

And that time is now. The township has been saving for more than a decade to be able to replace the pole barn with a modern structure. The pole barn’s supports

small town Midwestern bubble has been burst.

Despite what some people say about the intrusive nature of government recording our actions, these are public streets where there is little expectation of privacy. Want to stay off those cameras, stay off those streets.

Cameras won’t eliminate criminal acts, but they can identify perpetrators for prosecution, the certainty of which might deter some misbehavior.

Once those cameras are installed, be sure that when you go downtown you’re wearing your best smile.

are made of wood and are subject to rot; the doors and ceiling have been patched and repatched to stretch out the functional life. The building can’t meet the needs of Highway Operations – the ceilings are too low for vehicle maintenance; it is not energy efficient. It is not costeffective and therefore it is a drain on the township and the taxpayers.

The effective solution for tomorrow and the next few decades – just like when the

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

two security cameras are mounted in the downtown this year, one will keep watch over the outdoor dining, drinking, and partying area of North Benton Street – night and day.

Poetry as therapy

In a recent newspaper interview, a candidate for Congress in the 11th District of Illinois suggested, “The U.S. must do more to address mental health needs.” Often, these “mustdo-mores” do not suggest additional funding for vital programs. So, what if reading, writing, or listening to poetry were part of the mentalhealth solution?

For years, especially during National Poetry Month, which has been celebrated every April since it was launched by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, K-12 teachers, librarians, publishers, and, of course, poets have stressed how poetry can add value to every person’s life. Now, research like that conducted by the University of Plymouth and funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council has shown that poetry can aid lives fraught with loneliness, fear, anxiety, and depression.

The studies outline how the brain reacts when one reads poetry: improved memory, boosted mood, and enhanced ability to cope with stress. Maybe some of the benefit comes simply from taking time from the hustle and bustle of a day. But, for me, the gift is the connection – what does the poem say to me, or how am I bound to the emotion within it?

Courtney Heeren, literacy coach and sixth-grade teacher at Creekside Middle School in Woodstock, recently showed me the poem “Small-Town English Teacher.” I have been introduced to a lot of poems but had never met this one. Having taught in small towns Walworth, Wis., and Johnsburg, Ill., I was immediately drawn to the title and then captivated by the pictures painted in the stanzas. For a few minutes I was immersed in these selected verses:

In your town, former students sling your drinks, snap your x-rays, and report your news on TV.

Continued from Previous page

township built pole barns 50 years ago as the effective solution – is to build two buildings that are just under 5,000 square feet each. At 5,000 square feet, a building needs a sprinkler system, adding significant costs to any project. By breaking it into two freestanding, pre-engineered steel buildings of 4,995 square feet each,

You hold their secrets because you remember their essays.

One returns from combat, homecoming party at the airport, and you know he only joined up because his mom was ashamed of him.

Jan Bosman Declarations

You remember the essay.

One dies from an opioid OD and you know about the man who groped her at work and how she told his wife. You remember the essay.

I will keep this poem in my treasure chest. It speaks poignantly to me of the many students who passed through my classroom doors. A poem that welcomes me is a forever companion.

Another poem I recently saw on Poem-a-Day (available free to any of you online) is titled “Alzheimer’s,” written by Anthony Walton. I was intrigued by the poem because I had read a news item about Jay Leno’s wife, who struggles with Alzheimer’s. Also, as I age, my risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease increases. In any event, here is some of what Walton has to say in his poem about the last 10 years of his father’s life: He sits, silent,

No longer mistaking the cable news for company –and when he talks, he talks of childhood, remembering some slight or conundrum as if it is a score to be retailed and settled after seventy-five years.

Rare, the sudden lucidity that acknowledges this thing that has happened to me ...

the township saves money while not losing effectiveness.

The Dorr Township Highway Operations is responsible for 65 miles of roadway –that means 65 miles of road and bridge maintenance; culverts maintenance; mowing; snow and ice removal; removing debris and downed trees; cleaning up wildlife killed by traffic; and installing and maintaining signage.

I feel the writer’s despair when he ends the poem “as if it owns him, which it does.” Poetry can offer solace or elicit empathy in the reader. For moments, you or I can be transported from loneliness to a connection with the subject, emotion, cadence, or writer.

There are two other ways poetry can assist persons with mental distress. One is by writing a verse or two. Doing so gets feelings from the inside to the outside just as journaling does. Also, people can participate in spoken word events if they want to test their work in a safe space, but I will leave an in-depth discussion of the benefits of written or spoken word to another day.

However, I cannot leave this column without mentioning Steve McMichael, the Bears defensive lineman who was just elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Did you hear McMichael recite a line from “Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night”? This once-feared football player is dying from ALS; yet from his hospital bed he quoted lines from Dylan Thomas’ famous poem: “Rage, rage against the dying of the light.” I wonder where Steve first read those lines? I marvel at how they lift him up now.

Reading poetry probably will not cure mental illness. Medication and counseling may be needed, but a poem will provide quiet companionship if you let it. Be open to one that beckons you to sit down: maybe a psalm, maybe a nursery rhyme you’re sharing with a grandchild, maybe one of your old favorites.

See if for a few minutes your depression or grief or aloneness slips away while you find an inexpensive way for self-therapy this April.

Jan Bosman of Woodstock taught English and business education in public schools for more than 30 years.

I am sure that you have more questions about the project. I encourage you to come to the annual meeting on April 9 at 7 p.m. at the township offices at 1039 Lake Ave. and ask them. This is your township and your buildings. I look forward to seeing you.

John Buckley Dorr Township trustee

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Teacher Matthew Wesley reads off a winning raffle ticket at a high school basketball game. National Honor Society members at Woodstock North used the raffle proceeds to buy physical education equipment for elementary school students.

Idea, plan, collaborate

WNHS students demonstrate service, leadership

By Kevin Lyons DISTRICT 200

A Woodstock North High School National Honor Society team recently won a contest in which every team and the entire community won.

Students presented their service projects to a panel of teachers and school administrators at the National Honor Society Service Showdown. The Hoops for Hope team won the competition, but all of the teams had a positive impact.

Hoops for Hope raised money for physical education equipment for elementary school students through fundraisers at high school basketball games.

Members of the Hoops for Hope team are Kirsten Carroll, Madeline Manke, Kayden Bracken, Joseph Gerloff, Parker Leonard, Addison Rishling, Morgan Tolentino-Siazon, Rylee Williams, and William Noe.

Baret Bailey, Woodstock North science teacher and co-adviser for the NHS chapter, said 49 students participated in service projects this year and that students made a concerted effort to reach out and better their community.

“This ranged from assisting community service organizations with donations and cleanup to inspiring

elementary school students through personal encouragement,” Bailey said.

Work in communities

Student teams cleaned up the Woodstock Square and the beach at Wonder Lake. Others wrote inspirational cards for students and collected toiletry items for the needy.

“This is an entirely student-led project that requires them to form an idea, make a plan, coordinate with local organizations, and collaborate with their peers,” Bailey said.

Bailey explained the criteria for National Honor Society members as follows: students must embody the four pillars of scholarship, service, leadership, and character. Students apply for NHS and are accepted by a panel of teachers based on how well they have demonstrated those pillars during their time at WNHS.

“The NHS students again demonstrated their character, leadership, and above all, service, by having a positive impact on our local community,” Bailey said.

D200 PHOTOS

Kevin Lyons is communications director of School District 200. Woodstock North High School students pick up trash at the Wonder Lake beach for their National Honor Society service project.

COLLEGE CURRENTS

Peyton Stinger on dean’s list for fall at Illinois Wesleyan

Peyton Stinger of Wonder Lake was among 752 students named to the dean’s list for the fall semester of the 2023-24 academic year at Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington. Stinger is a first-year student majoring in elementary education.

To qualify for the dean’s list, students must earn a GPA of 3.50 or better during the semester, based on 4.0 for straight As.

Haley Chellberg performs during Augustana tour

Haley Chellberg, a theatre history major from Woodstock, is one of 54 Augustana College students who performed in the Augustana Choir tour of California from March 21 to March 25.

The choir performed at five Southern California churches, to be followed by a home concert on April 6 in Davenport.

Chellberg, a senior at Augustana, also performed in the school production of “Amahl and the Night Visitors” in February. She portrayed a shepherd.

Woodstock student wins sports photography awards

Augustana College’s Veronica Peterson, a multimedia journalism mass communication major from Woodstock, earned recognition at the Illinois College Press Association ceremony in February for her work published in the Augustana Observer, the college’s student newspaper.

Peterson won first and third places in Sports Photos competition. At the ceremony held in Chicago, the Observer was named the top student news organization in the state in its class, based on college enrollment size.

Pi Kappa Phi inducts students from Woodstock

Two Northern Illinois University students from Woodstock have been initiated into The Honor Society of Pi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

They are Elizabeth Hurdle and Kari Mongold.

Adam Andresen, a senior at Woodstock High School, is the son of Aidez Moreno of Woodstock.

His nominating teacher said Adam is dedicated to his studies with a positive attitude and determination. “He never backs down from a challenge and sets a fantastic example for his classmates,” his teacher said.

A high honor roll student all four years, Adam also played high school soccer for two seasons.

Adam is inspired by his older sister,

PICTURE THIS

The McHenry County Historical Society’s Museum, located at 6422 Main St., Union, is now open for the season. New exhibits include “Wired! Electrifying Rural McHenry County.” This exhibit tells the story of the J. R. Beard farm, which was electrified in 1938 in collaboration with the Public Service Company of Northern Illinois. Located near Woodstock, this farm was open to the public to demonstrate the conveniences gained through utilizing electrical devices for farm and farm home tasks. Also on display are early electrical appliances from the MCHS collection. Museum hours are Tuesday - Friday from 1 to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This barn under construction in 1980 was located on the Ray Larsen dairy farm on Charles Road near Route 47.

Don Peasley Photo Collection, McHenry County Historical Society

April 3-7, 2024

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A & E

‘A lot of talent in Woodstock’

WHS, WNHS get ‘Mean’ in spring musical collaboration

By Kevin Lyons DISTRICT 200

Tickets are going fast for the combined high school performances of the “Mean Girls” musical, but you can totally sit with us if you grab some soon.

Each spring in Woodstock School District 200, the theater departments from Woodstock and Woodstock North high schools team up for a musical. This year’s choice was Tina Fey’s 2018 Broadway hit.

Director Billy Seger said more than 100 students are part of the “Mean Girls” cast, crew, and orchestra pit. The scale of the musical is quite large, demanding numerous costumes for all 36 performers and a variety of large set pieces to represent the many locations featured in the show.

“As a director, I have never collaborated with such a large student group,” Seger said. “This clearly demonstrates the profound effect this story has on these students. Their enthusiasm for bringing it to life matches, if not surpasses, our own.”

This year’s performances will be held from April 12 to 14 and on April 19 and 20 in the Woodstock High School auditorium. Most of the showtimes are at 7 pm, but matinées are scheduled for 2 p.m on Sunday, April 14, and Saturday, April 20.

Tickets cost $10 and are available at whst. booktix.com or at the door.

The cast

WNHS senior Malaika Parpart will play Cady Heron. Thunder senior Kai Roberts is portraying Janis Sarkisian, while WNHS senior William Madigan takes on the role of Damian Hubbard. Other lead roles include WHS senior Niles Jackson as Aaron Samuels and WHS junior Tochtli Olivas as Kevin G.

The queen of the mean girls will be played by WHS senior Kamila Kay, who was also one of the leads in last spring’s performance of “Mamma Mia.”

“Regina George follows the namesake of the musical,” Kay said. “She’s so mean, but she’s also really smart and calculating and scary. It’s definitely a very tough role to portray.”

The plastics, Regina George’s tight group of frenemies, also include Gretchen Weiners, who will be played by WNHS senior Morgan Tolentino-Siazon.

“Gretchen is very insecure about herself, and she constantly seeks approval – specifically from Regina,” Tolentino-Siazon said. “Anytime

musicals every year while the crosstown rivalry is cheerfully put to the side.

Adams recalled her excitement watching North students during auditions. The all-state WHS choir singer said she’d never had much of a chance to hear students from North sing.

“I remember sitting in the audience, and Kai [Roberts], who’s playing Janis, came up to sing and Kamila said, ‘Just you wait,’” Adams said.

The plastics pose from the production of “Mean Girls”: (from left) Maggie Adams, Woodstock High School senior as Karen Smith; WHS senior Kamila Kay as Regina George; and Woodstock North senior Morgan Tolentino-Siazon as Gretchen Weiners. Students from the two schools will stage the spring musical in five shows starting April 12 in the WHS auditorium.

she doesn’t get that approval she just feels like she’s never good enough or she just gets insane.”

Maggie Adams, a WHS senior who plays Karen Smith, one of plastics who provides comic relief, said she appreciates the message of the musical, which she said is a little less vicious than the original 2004 film of the same name.

“There’s a lot more coming to terms with yourself in the musical – being OK with being different and not necessarily fitting in with the crowd,” she said. “All of us are much different than we perceive ourselves to be.”

Crosstown casting

Kay said she looks forward to working with her Woodstock North counterparts on the

Roberts began belting out Janis’s big number, “I’d Rather Be Me.”

“I was shocked; she sounded phenomenal,” Adams said. “There’s a lot of talent in Woodstock, and it’s really cool to see how amazing everyone is in their roles.”

Seger said the show’s production staff includes: choreographer Christy Johanson, music director Brian Jozwiak, tech director Sue Lewis, assistant director/costumer Tish Lyon, and orchestra pit director Katy Holub. The team is supported by Curran Rooney, Kristi Geggie, and Kiera Parpart, who assist with specialty costumes and props.

Seger said Tina Fey was looking forward to licensing the musical for high school theater since the show’s Broadway premiere.

“Not only does the show feature five strong female leads, which is surprisingly rare in musical theater,” Seger said, “but it also provides a unique opportunity for students to discuss the highs and lows of their own high school experiences in a safe and nurturing environment.”

D200 PHOTO

Kevin Lyons is communications director for Woodstock School District 200.

Business

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office March 8 to 18.

■ Residence at 2861 Haydn St., Woodstock, was sold by Matthew R. Keller, Crystal Lake, to Anthony J. Castronova, Woodstock, for $370,000.

■ Residence at 2019 Mallard Lane, Woodstock, was sold by The William M. Madden Trust, Punta Gorda, Fla., to Kristine N. Anderson, Woodstock, for $460,000.

■ Residence at 3165 Shenandoah Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Stephanie Wierschke, Kouts, Ind., to Paula Hopkins, Huntley, for $245,000.

■ Residence at 9111 Wondermere Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by Christopher Love, Wonder Lake, to Claudio E. Alvarez, Wonder Lake, for $222,995.

■ Residence at 421 S. Fleming Road, Woodstock, was sold by Susan A. Klouda, Woodstock, to Cole Bruns, Bull Valley, for $499,000.

■ Residence at 704 Dean St., Woodstock, was sold by Rolin Investments 1 LLC, McHenry, to T & T Capital Rentals LLC, Wasco, for $165,000.

■ Residence at 8511 White Oaks Court, Wonder Lake, was sold by CalAtlantic Group LLC, Schaumburg, to Nicholas W. Fifarek, Wonder Lake, for $328,200.

■ Residence at 4509 Dean Street, Woodstock, was sold by Kathryn A. Halma, Woodstock, to Stephen Yargosz, Woodstock, for $535,000.

■ Vacant land on Memory Trail, Wonder Lake, was sold by Jerome W. Borst, West Chicago, to Alejandro Lopez, Wonder Lake, for $15,000.

■ Residence at 8538 Stillwater Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by CalAtlantic Group LLC, Schaumburg, to Alejandro Nunez Jr., Wonder Lake, for $254,900.

Miguel and Janeth Ramirez are in the midst of making improvements to the interior of the Main Street PourHouse. The Ramirezes purchased the restaurant in early March. It will be renamed Pourhouse Bar and Grill and will have a completely new menu by mid-May.

Business Buzz

The hum of activity accompanies spring

By Susan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Spring arrived on March 19 and with it, a hum of activity on Woodstock’s business scene. At The Woodstock Independent, we’re keeping track of openings, changes of ownership, spring spruce-ups, and planned moves.

Careful readers of The Independent will remember that Paulie’s Italian Bakery and Deli was initially announced as moving into the former Swiss Maid Bakery location at 122 N. Benton St. Before the planned March 10 opening, however, Paulie’s moved the business to 132 Cass St., in the storefront that Avant Cycle had vacated at the end of January. Paulie’s adjusted its opening date to late April/early

May.

Janeth and Miguel Ramirez became the new owners of the Main Street PourHouse, at 214 Main St., in early March. The couple have worked in the restaurant industry for years, Janeth said, with Miguel having been a chef at Jameson’s in Huntley and Janeth working on the serving and bartending side at various restaurants. The two had been looking for a restaurant to take over and judged the PourHouse to be the right fit.

“It’s in a great place, and it has a lot of potential,” she said.

The bar is currently open with the restaurant’s same menu. It will officially reopen with a new namePourhouse Bar and Grill – in midMay with a completely new menu. In the meantime, the Ramirezes have added lights to brighten the

interior and will replace the flooring, paint the bathrooms and bar, add TVs, and convert the restaurant to more of a family dine-in vibe, Janeth said.

Upcoming Route 47 construction forced the November closing of the Chase Bank branch at 200 S. Eastwood Drive, along Calhoun Street. The bank has bought the former Bank of America building at 320 S. Eastwood Drive and will move its operation from 118 Cass St. on the Woodstock Square at the end of this year or the beginning of 2025, according to Chase’s Woodstock branch manager, Vince Belfiore. Once the move is complete, the Cass Street location will close. The new Eastwood Drive location, near Taco Bell, offers better accessibility for customers and employees, larger capacity, a parking

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

lot, and a drive-thru, Belfiore said.

The Sparrow’s Nest recently received improvements and upgrades to its 120 E. Calhoun St. location. “We replaced the carpeting, cleaned everything, and got rid of a lot of the clutter,” store manager Kathleen Prescott said. While some of the work was done on a Sunday when the store was closed, the project took two weeks in total with help from Home of the Sparrow staff members and volunteers from Christ Community Church in Huntley. Prescott stressed that the store is open for business and “really looks phenomenal.”

A “For Lease” sign is up in front of the Hive Infusion Spa at 235 Washington St.

The business appears to have moved to 821 E. Grant Highway in Marengo.

The Tidal Wave Auto Spa at 1260 Lake Ave., slated to debut on March 27, is now scheduled for a mid-April opening.

Alfredo’s Pizza and Pasta is now open at 1019 N. Seminary Ave., the former location of Five Stars Pizza. This is the second location for the eatery, joining one in Lake in the Hills. The Independent will feature Alfredo’s in a future new business article.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER Sparrows Nest store manager Kathleen Prescott points out the new artwork display wall at the store.

Hive Infusion Spa has moved to Marengo.

Formerly Five Stars Pizza, Alfredo’s Pizza and Pasta is now open for business.

Community

St. Mary students Addi Schug and Evan Brubaker stand on either side of Rory Pivnicka and his service dog, Barney, on World Down Syndrome Day. Barney donned crazy socks and a blue and gold sweatshirt for his visit to school.

Lights of ‘compassion and patience’

St. Mary’s seventh-grade advocates for illuminating Down Syndrome Awareness Day

By Susan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

The Empire State Building, the Eiffel Tower, ... Woodstock’s Old Courthouse Center?

On March 21, which was World Down Syndrome Day, landmarks on six continents were bathed in blue and gold lights to champion the “rights, inclusion, and wellbeing of people with Down syndrome,” according to Down Syndrome International.

Woodstock’s Old Courthouse Center was one of those blue-and-gold landmarks because of the dedication of St. Mary School’s seventh-grade class, which counts among its number Rory Pivnicka, who has Down syndrome and has been a St. Mary student since kindergarten.

Sparking a plan

The United Nations instituted WDSD in 2012. The March 21 date refers to the extra 21st chromosome with which children with Down syndrome are born.

Rory’s mother, Sarah Pivnicka, who volunteers

two days a week at St. Mary and treats Rory’s class to a snack each March 21, saw the Light Up Your Landmark effort online to call attention to Down syndrome. She mentioned it in passing to Melissa Sarelas, the seventh-grade homeroom teacher. Sarelas shared the information with her students. Inspired by the idea, they began working on a daylong plan for activities.

Soon after, the seventh-graders invited Sarah and St. Mary principal Hillary Russell to their classroom for a presentation, ushering the two to a pair of desks in the center of the room stocked with paper and pens for them to take notes.

In a PowerPoint, they laid out their requests: an out-of-uniform day when students would wear blue and gold; sales of “crazy” socks with donations to go to Gigi’s Playhouse, a national nonprofit that provides free educational, therapeutic-based, and career development programs for individuals with Down syndrome; and the day’s cap-off, getting the city to shine gold and blue lights on the Old Courthouse Center.

Russell asked questions and made suggestions during the presentation, Sarah said. “Meanwhile,

I’m bawling.”

Day of learning, service, fun

The seventh-graders kicked off March 21 by holding blue and yellow balloons and standing next to a sign they created in art class to greet students at morning drop-off.

Students in the other grades wore blue and gold, along with the crazy socks they had purchased from the seventh-graders who raised $409 through sales they staffed during their lunch and recess periods.

The seventh-graders sported long-sleeved T-shirts that said, “In a world where you can be anything, be kind” on the front and were emblazoned with “Team Rory” on the back.

Kennedy Beck, who had been Rory’s one-onone aide in first grade and currently teaches in a Catholic grade school north of Milwaukee, created the shirts as part of the custom printing she does as a side job. Her parents, Caryn and Scott of Woodstock, donated the money to pay for the shirts.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO

BY KEN FARVER

Continued from PREVIOUS page

Following drop-off, the seventhgraders boarded a bus bound for Gigi’s Playhouse in McHenry, which Rory called his favorite part of the day. There, he led a tour for his classmates before the group helped with cleaning to ready the space for a multi-chamber mixer that evening.

To end the school day, Rory’s service dog, Barney, paid a special visit to the classroom and lapped up the attention.

Sarelas had asked her students to write out what they would say to Mayor Mike Turner if selected to be the class’s representative and tapped Addi Schug to carry out the duty. Schug relayed the appeal through Turner’s secretary and later spoke to him. Applauding the seventh-graders for their “thoughtful request,” Turner gave the go-ahead.

At 7:15, the seventh grade gathered at the Square with their parents to view the Courthouse lights. A mechanical glitch meant that only the gold lights had turned on. Calls were quickly placed to the city and while the problem was attended to, everyone adjourned to Starbucks for hot chocolate to warm up on the unseasonably wintry evening. Spirits refortified, the group reconvened at the Courthouse where, by 8:30, the promised blue and gold lights had come to life.

All are welcome

Rory Pivnicka, seventh child of

Jean Schiller, Ella Martin, and Marion Spinolas enjoy a reunion at the first-ever McHenry County Farm Bureau Draw Down Fundraiser March 9. They have served on the Women’s Committee and volunteered with Ag In the Classroom for many decades. The event raised $15,000 through sponsors and winners who donated all or a portion of their prizes back to the foundation. The Farm Bureau donated $1,000 to the Harvard Moose and $1,500 to the John W. Hoffman Memorial Scholarship fund. The remaining funds will go toward Ag In The Classroom initiatives, an internship, and an agricultural scholarship program.

Steve and Sarah Pivnicka, entered St. Mary in the fall of 2016, following in his older siblings’ footsteps. He had attended kindergarten at Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center but repeated his kindergarten year to get acclimated to St. Mary.

In 2018, Russell and former principal Vince Sossong unveiled the MOSAIC program, “Molding Outstanding Students Amid Inclusive Classrooms.”

Donations to the program fund classroom aides, resource teachers, and professional development to support children with learning

disabilities, developmental delays, social and emotional challenges and needs, and gifted abilities.

“The school trains its teachers and equips those who will have children with different abilities in their classrooms with strategies to help those children learn,” Russell said.

About different abilities

St. Mary also educates its students about those who have learning challenges through a “Celebrating All God’s Children” day in April.

“God calls us to accept and educate all,” Russell said. “We can

welcome all who want a Catholic education for their children, regardless of ability.”

Each year, the school highlights a learning challenge, be it Down Syndrome, autism, attention-deficithyperactivity-disorder, or social anxiety.

Throughout the day, students participate in activities to deepen their knowledge, broaden their awareness, and instill kindness.

In 2019, students learned that those with Down syndrome have low muscle tone and got a feeling for how that would slow down completing everyday tasks by trying to zip up their jackets with socks on their hands and attempting to speak with a marshmallow in their mouths.

For Russell, the lessons in empathy are paramount.

“Rory has taught students about acceptance, perseverance through challenges, and coming together as a class to support one another,” she said.

For Sarah Pivnicka, the heroes of the story are her son’s classmates.

“This class is the most amazing group of kids,” she said. “They were always compassionate and patient – now even more so.”

Rory’s classmate Addi said that she appreciates Rory’s humor and his ability to cheer everyone up.

“He keeps our class together,” Addi said. “We’re so happy to have him here.”

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER Barney, Rory’s service dog, sports his own crazy socks and a blue-andgold sweatshirt as he chills with the seventh-grade class at the end of the March 21 school day.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI

4 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

5 FRIDAY

CLAUDIA SCHMIDT

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

$20 offsquaremusic.org

MITCH ROSSELL

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

$35 A seats; $30 B seats

woodstockoperahouse.com

6 SATURDAY

GENEALOGY RESEARCH ASSISTANCE

Woodstock Public Library

414 W. Judd St.

10 a.m.

Kishwaukee Trail Chapter DAR

815-245-6944

CHICAGO COMEDY TAKEOVER

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

8:30 p.m.

$15 online, $20 at the door

8 MONDAY

COFFEE WITH THE CHIEF

Woodstock Police Department

656 Lake Ave.

7 p.m.

815-338-6787

9 TUESDAY

DAR GENEALOGY WORKSHOP

Woodstock Public Library

414 W. Judd St.

5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

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

‘MEAN GIRLS’

WHS & WNHS Theater production

Woodstock High School

501 W. South St.

7 p.m.

$10

whst.booktix.net

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

MINI LINKS AT THE LIBRARY

414 W. Judd St.

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

$5, $3 children 12 and younger

STAGE LEFT BEATS

FEATURING EDM

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

$15 adults, $5 students

‘MEAN GIRLS’

WHS & WNHS Theater production

Woodstock High School

501 W. South St.

7 p.m.

$10

whst.booktix.net

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

14 SUNDAY

THEATRE 121 – ‘STEEL

MAGNOLIAS’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

2 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

‘MEAN GIRLS’

WHS & WNHS Theater production

Woodstock High School

501 W. South St.

2 p.m.

$10

whst.booktix.net

15 MONDAY

COMMUNITY FREE DAY AT RECREATION CENTER

820 Lake Avenue

5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

16 TUESDAY

WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL

Council Chambers, City Hall

121 W. Calhoun St.

7 p.m.

woodstockil.gov

17 WEDNESDAY

MEMORY MAKERS STORYTELLING

THEATRE 121 - ‘STEEL

MAGNOLIAS’

Woodstock Opera House

Adults: $26 A seats, $20 B seats

Seniors: $24 A seats, $18 B seats

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

JAZZ NIGHT

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

8 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

20 SATURDAY

RECORD STORE DAY

The Records Department

North Johnson St.

7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

‘MEAN GIRLS’

WHS & WNHS Theater production

Woodstock High School

501 W. South St.

2 p.m.

$10

whst.booktix.net

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

woodstockoperahouse.com

19 FRIDAY

STAGE LEFT SESSIONS

FEATURING CRAZY HEARTS

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

8 p.m.

$10 in advance, $15 at the door woodstockoperahouse.com

FLASHBACKS

35 years ago – 1988

■ The Northwood Junior High School symphonic band and seventh- and eighth-grade chorus received Division I ratings at the Illinois Grade School Music Association Contest. It was the 15th consecutive year the band had received a first rating under the direction of Larry Moehling, and it was the fifth consecutive year the chorus had received a first rating under the direction of Melinda Davis.

■ After serving for one year as Woodstock High School athletic director and assistant principal, John Theriault stepped down to return to the classroom and to coaching.

30 years ago – 1994

■ The Woodstock District 200 Board of Education voted 5-1 in favor of paying the district’s architects to prepare educational specifications for an elementary school, a middle school, and a high school, in addition to providing specifications for converting WHS into a middle school.

■ The Blue Streaks baseball team was preparing to open the season behind the bat of Steve Zimmerman, who had a .436 batting average the previous season.

25 years ago – 1999

■ Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center Principal Joy Isbister announced she would retire at the end of the school year. She had been in D-200 for 24 years – 20 years as a teacher at Greenwood Elementary School and four years as principal of the early learning center.

■ Harding Real Estate celebrated its 35th anniversary.

■ WHS graduate Becky Habbley and Marian Central graduate Sheryl Neese were starters on the Augustana College varsity softball team.

20 years ago – 2004

■ Woodstock Musical Theatre Company was performing the Gilbert and Sullivan musical “H.M.S. Pinafore.”

■ The WHS male a capella group, Standing Room Only, took first place in the Boys Illinois District High School Regional Quartet and Ensemble Contest. Members of the group were Khalil Moutrie, Walter Farris, Patrick Oakford, Jonathon Shinabarger, Billy Seger, Christopher Rausch, Colin May, Sam Adams, Daniel Marks, Christopher

APRIL 20, 1994 – Northwood third-grader Lindsey Hoven looks for signs of life in the mire she dredged up wading in the creek behind Northwood Elementary School. With help from Woodstock High School science teacher Bill Donato and several WHS students, the Northwood thirdgraders studied the creek as part of District 200’s participation in the Groundwater Project. The program is designed to encourage students to care for the environment and to become more interested in science.

Davis, Michael Susong, and Ryan Tipton.

15 years ago – 2009

■ Larry Smith retired from the Woodstock Post Office. He had been a letter carrier for 30 years.

■ Members of Woodstock’s United Veterans Committee were planning the 2009 Memorial Day observance. Gay Belcher and Dick Schroeder were co-chairs; members of the committee were Nyda Fogerty, Dwayne

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a musical production of Cole Porter’s “Anything Goes.” It was the third collaboration between the two schools. WHS sophomore Julia Slomski starred as Hope Harcourt. Jack McCoy, a WNHS freshman, was cast as Moonface Martin.

■ The Woodstock Jaycees began celebrating its 50th anniversary with a “Lunch with the Easter Bunny” at Wendy’s. Jaycees President Heather Whitman announced the organization’s annual Easter Egg Hunt would be held at Emricson Park.

■ WHS senior Maura Beattie won the IHSA Class 2A 3,200-meter run at the Indoor Track & Field Classic at Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington. She finished with a time of 10 minutes, 49.44 seconds, almost 23 seconds better than the second-place finisher

5 years ago – 2019

■ Mommy Knows Best, a lactation industry business with eight employees was featured in The Independent. The Woodstock business was started by Tim Tierney to serve mothers who breastfeed their infants.

■ Matt Potts and the Culture, Arts & Music educational group were preparing for the Great Lakes Steelpan Festival to be held at Creekside Middle School. Sterling Betancourt, a legend of the steelpan music scene, was the festival’s guest of honor.

■ The Independent was helping the Atrocious Poets and Woodstock celebrate National Poetry Month by publishing works of local poets, including Jan H. Bosman’s “Early Spring Garden.”

1 year ago – 2023

■ McHenry County College bought Aurora University’s Woodstock Center at 222 Church St. to create University Center, which will offer bachelor’s and master’s degree programs from various Illinois universities starting in the fall of 2024.

Raney, Marvin Monson, Bill Urch, Don Stage, Dick Glawe, and Brad and Bev Limbaugh.

■ The Woodstock Independent offered the public the opportunity to listen online as reporter Leland Humberston interviewed Woodstock’s mayoral candi

■ Habitat for Humanity ReStore reopened in Woodstock after being closed for four months to deal with more than $100,000 in damage caused by flooding from a burst water pipe in November.

■ Marian senor Declan Pivnicka and WHS senior Jennifer Tapia were among

SOLUTION

BITE

BLACK-LEGGED

BULLSEYE

DEER

DIAGNOSTIC

DOG

FEVER

HOST

WORD SEARCH

ILLNESS

INFECTION

JOINTS

LYME DISEASE

NYMPH

PAIN

PARASITE

PATHOGEN

PREVENTION RASH

RESPONSE

SPIROCHETE

SPREAD

STIFFNESS

SYMPTOMS

TICK

WORD SCRAMBLE GUESS WHO?

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.

PUBLIC NOTICE

TAX DEED NO. 2024TX000028

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, March 27, 2024, April 3, 2024)L11751

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.,

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent March 27, 2024, April 3, 2024)L11765

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on MARCH 22, 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 NATIONAL TREE SERVICE located at 3325 S. RIVERDALE RD. MCHENRY, IL 60051. Owner Name & Address:

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on MARCH 25, 2024 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed

for non-payment of rent. The sale will be an online auction via www. storageTreasures.com on 4/23/2024 at 9:30 am. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents is household goods and furnishings.

Justin Horton Unit #349; Timothy Whaples Unit #336; Jessica Anderson Unit #410; Santiago Umana Unit #828. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for details.

(Published in The Woodstock Independent April 3, 2024)L11769

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Self-Storage Sale

Please notice Red Dot Storage 78Woodstock located at 740 Washington Rd., Woodstock, IL 60098 intends to hold an auction of the goods stored in the following unit in default for non-payment of rent. The sale will be an online auction via www. storageTreasures.com on 4/23/2024 at 9:30 AM. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents is household goods and furnishings.

Shawn Rank Unit. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice.

Certain terms and conditions apply.

See manager for details.

(Published in The Woodstock Independent April 3, 2024)L11770

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on MARCH 25, 2024

An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Self-Storage Sale

Please notice Red Dot Storage 6 - Woodstock located at 2105 S. Eastwood Dr, Woodstock, IL 60098 intends to hold an auction of the goods stored in the following units in default

The Woodstock Blue Streaks take a moment to pose for a group photo during their spring break trip at the 2024 Spring Classic at Mountain Dew Park, Marian, Illinois. Pictured from left are: Assistant coach Jason

Streaks opt for tournament tune-up

The Woodstock baseball team travels for tournament play during spring break

By Sandy Kucharski NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

“The road to success and greatness is always paved with consistent hard work. Outwork your competitors, be authentic, and above all else, chase your greatness.”

- Dwayne Johnson

The Woodstock Blue Streaks baseball team looked to up their game this season with a tough early season tournament. The boys traveled south to Marian, Illinois, last week during spring break for the 2024 Spring Classic at Mountain Dew Park.

“All teams at the spring classic are quality opponents which is what we were looking for in a spring trip,” said varsity head coach Matt Prill.

“That experience will help us prepare for the rest of the season.”

The Streaks spent three days and played four games at Mountain Dew Park, home of the Thrillville Thrillbillies, a professional baseball team competing in the Prospect League.

Though a win wasn’t in the cards for the team, they faced the tough opponents they sought, including Prairie Ridge (17-0), Warren (7-3), Grant (10-1) and Notre Dame (14-0).

Driving six hours south of Woodstock, they also found better weather with mild temperatures and only overnight rain which didn’t affect the turf ballpark.

Catch a game

Look for the Streaks in a four-day home stand beginning Wednesday, April 3, when they host Harvard at Emricson Park at 4:30 p.m. Aurora

Central Catholic will visit Thursday, April 4, and WHS hosts a doubleheader against Marengo on Satuday, April 6, beginning at 11 a.m.

Pitcher Devin Haggerty and catcher Trevor Cote warm up in the bull pen.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Crawford, Everett Flannery, Max Haggerty, Grady Goglin, Landen Stoltz, Drew Burley, Noah Rodriguez, Trevor Cote, Cayden Holtzee, Sam Chapman, Sonny Marsalla, Angelo Pacini, Blake Dankemeyer, Devin Haggerty, Payton Rockwood, and head coach Matt Prill.

Marian’s Siobhan Stoll starts strong in outdoor track

Something to build on.

That is exactly what Marian Central Catholic graduate Siobhan Stoll has after the first outdoor track meet of the year for Creighton University. The former Hurricane runner turned Creighton Lady Bluejay took fifth in the 5,000-meter run at the Emporia State University Relays. A total of 19 runners were in the race.

only two hits. She walked one and fanned one. Coe improved to 15-3 overall and 2-0 in the American Rivers Conference.

Dan Chamness

The College Report

The Woodstock resident finished the 12.5 lap race in 18 minutes, 23.08 seconds. It was the best 5,000-meter time of her career.

She helped Creighton take 11th of the 24 teams. The Lady Jays finished with 30 points. South Dakota State University took first with 93.5 points.

Sophia Raymond (Woodstock), a Hope College thrower, finished eighth in the hammer throw at the Emory University Spring Break Classic in Atlanta, Georgia. Raymond finished with a throw of 132 feet, 10 inches. Hope took first as a team, scoring 117.5 points. A total of 18 women’s teams posted a score. The University of West Georgia took second with 105.5 points.

SOFTBALL

Ellie Thurow (Woodstock North) worked three innings for Coe College as they topped the University of Dubuque 10-1. Thurow, who improved to 8-1 on the hill, allowed

BASEBALL

■ March 25-27 – Woodstock played in the 2024 Spring Classic at Mountain Dew Park, Marion:

■ Game 1: Woodstock fell to Prairie Ridge 17-0.

■ Game 2: Woodstock fell to Warren 7-3.

■ Game 3: Woodstock fell to Grant 10-1.

■ Game 4: Woodstock fell to Notre Dame (Mo) 14-0.

Meghan Nixon (Woodstock) was 1-for-2 as her college team, Augustana College, lost an 11-5 decision to Cumberland University. Nixon drove home one run. In a 13-5 win over Sewanee: The University of the South, Nixon scored one of the runs. Augustana is 8-6 overall and 1-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.

MESSAGE FROM CHAMNESS

Names make the news. I am looking for names to fill out the column for the spring months. There are only two rules to be included in this column. One is the athlete must be a resident of an area normally covered by The Woodstock Independent or be a graduate of Woodstock, Woodstock North or Marian Central Catholic. Anyone else must get special permission from the newspaper. Secondly, the athlete must be involved in intercollegiate athletics, meaning their chosen college/ university competes against other schools.

If you want to submit a name, please put “Woodstock Independent” in the subject line of the email, which should be sent to Dan62801@aol.com. I will need not only the name of the athlete, but the former high school or the town of residence, the college/university they are attending and of course, the sport they are playing.

Dan Chamness writes The College Report for The Independent.

Valerie Sardelli is a 4-year varsity starter at Woodstock High School. She has been named Kishwaukee River Conference Keeper of the Year the past two seasons, an accolade she is working hard to earn again this year.

She is a leader on the pitch, and a two-year captain on the team.

When Val is not playing for the Blue Streaks, she plays club soccer on one of Raptor’s top ECNL teams.

She will continue her soccer career at Purdue University Northwest next season.

Blue Streak girls soccer wishes Val continued success on the pitch this spring and the years ahead.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Congratulations Athlete of the Week!

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER Four-year-old Ronin Stice demonstrates expert egg hunting form as he skillfully balances the bucket while keeping an eye on the prize.

Valerie Sardelli • Soccer