Woodstock Independent 5/15/24

The Woodstock

May 15-21, 2024

I NDEPENDENT

WHS student team earns national recognition

SUM FUN

Get a snapshot of Woodstock summer happenings

SCHOOLS

District 200 high schools ranked among state’s best

By Eileen Millard NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Two teams of Woodstock High School students made a presentation at the May 7 Woodstock City Council, the culmination of their work throughout the school year as part of the Project Lead the Way program.

PLTW is a national online curriculum facilitated by a certified teacher and focused on developing young engineers, with more than 5,000 schools around the U.S. teaching the curriculum.

One team looked into installing ground-based solar panels at one of the city’s wastewater treatment

PATHWAY TO ENLIGHTENMENT

plants. A second group analyzed ways to improve Woodstock’s walkability.

PLTW CEO David Dimmett was also at the meeting to present the walkability group with the PLTW national High School Community Impact award.

Four universities partner as next step after MCC

By Julian Senn-Raemont NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Pursuing a passion, increased marketability in the workforce, improved interpersonal skills, a confidence boost and the potential for more earning power are just some of the benefits of completing a bachelor’s degree or earning an advanced college degree. But what about the obstacles? What keeps people from achieving their educational dreams?

“Financial barriers, family/local obligations and transportation challenges, to name a few,” said Christina Haggerty, vice president of marketing, communications and development at McHenry County College. But now McHenry County has a new option to make reaching that dream more convenient. MCC has partnered with four universities so students can build on their

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Sri Lankan monks from the Blue Lotus Temple and children were among the marchers in the Buddhist Vesakha Day parade May 11 on the Woodstock Square.

Woodstock High School Project Lead the Way Solar Power team members are honored at the city council meeting. Shown, from left, are: Mayor Mike Turner; City Manager Task Force member Andrew Celentano; Jason Huber, D-200; Kierstin Carey; Natalie Morrow; Ashtin White; Jamahl Mumford; Mike Rousey and Brent Aymond, Public Works; and PLTW CEO David Dimmett.

PRESENTATION

Continued from Page 1

Solar power presentation

The solar power team, consisting of Kierstin Carey, Natalie Morrow, Ashtin White and Jamahl Mumford, showed their research and data collected to present four possible locations for solar panels: two at the city’s North Wastewater Plant, and two at the South Wastewater Plant.

Research included the number of panels needed, costs, lifetime of the panels, and return on investment. They also had information on available acreage at each of the plants, best locations for the panels and potential site issues such as flooding.

After presenting the data the team gave their recommendation for one of the two sites at the North Wastewater Plant. They also explained the goals for the project, including decreasing energy costs at the plant, decreasing CO2 emissions and meeting future emissions requirements.

After the presentation, the team took questions from the council on topics including maintenance costs

IN BRIEF

Moose Lodge to host health screenings May 22

Residents living in and around the Woodstock can learn about their risk for cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other chronic, serious conditions with screenings by Life Line Screening. The event will be held May 22 at the Woodstock Moose Lodge, 406 Clay St. Screenings can check for:

-The level of plaque buildup in arteries,

and solar panel lifespan.

Mayor Mike Turner told the team, ”I like the way you analyzed the sites … you went to the most winnable site, the most likely site, the easiest one to implement.”

Walkability presentation

Students Liam Hanson, Peter Muschong, Hunter Vassar and Lucas Rubio presented their analyses and suggestions for improving Woodstock’s walkability. They described Woodstock as a “car-dependent city” and listed ways to improve, including adding more sidewalks and marked pedestrian crosswalks; methods to make crosswalks more visible; and plans for developers and residents to work with the city to add more sidewalks.

One of the recommendations was for a program called “Colorful Crosswalks,” where pedestrian crosswalks are painted with vibrant colors, designs or murals for improved visibility and fewer accidents. Mayor Turner said the program was promising and even floated the idea of using school colors on the pedestrian crosswalks at WHS and Woodstock North High

related to risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and overall vascular health.

-HDL and LDL Cholesterol levels

-Diabetes risk

-Kidney and thyroid function, and more Screenings are affordable and convenient with special package pricing starting at $159. Consultants will work with residents to create appropriate packages, based on age and risk factors.

Preregistration is required at 1-877-2371287 or visit www.lifelinescreening.com.

at the city

Shown, from left, are: Mayor Turner; Andrew Celentano; Jason Huber, Peter Muschong; Hunter Vassar; Liam Hanson; and Lucas Rubio, David Dimmet, and Brent Aymond.

School.

Another feature involved adding more “Little Free Libraries” in neighborhoods as an incentive to walk. Small, decorated wooden boxes are set up on posts in neighborhoods to hold books that are free to take, encouraging a take-one, leave-one participation.

One of the students, Liam Hanson, also wrote an interactive computer program so that residents could share locations with walkability issues and map out walking paths based on abundant sidewalks in good repair with safe crossings.

Future for the projects

Mayor Turner noted that this was the thirteenth year PLTW has existed as a collaboration between students and the city. “City staff will be reviewing the recommendations from these two PLTW projects to see if they can be moved forward, via the city’s 10-Year CIP Budget process,” said Woodstock City Manager Roscoe Stelford via email. Regarding the interest shown in Colorful Crosswalks, he added, “Staff will need to evaluate options …

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

Ambulance runs May 2 to 8: 51

Fire runs

Structure Fire: 1

Combustible/fire spills & leaks: 2

Electrical wiring/equipment problem: 6

Person in distress: 1

Public service assistance: 14

Cover assignment/Stand by at fire station: 1

Dispatched and canceled en route: 1

Wrong location/no emergency found: 1

and incorporate input from the city’s commissions, when appropriate, with council (having) final approval.”

National Award

After the two teams gave their presentations, David Dimmett, President and CEO of the national PLTW organization, spoke.

“This year we are here to recognize the Project Lead the Way High School Community Impact winner … the Walkability Project. What you are doing in Woodstock is really remarkable. That is why we made the trip to Woodstock - both of these groups … came out very high in our rankings.”

D-200 Superintendent Mike Moan said, “I was blown away by both presentations … what amazing kids. We are better because of the partnership we have with the city of Woodstock.” City Manager Task Force member Andrew Celentano, who has mentored the program for many years, noted that PLTW team members have often included their experience on college entrance forms, scholarship applications, and at job interviews.

System or detector malfunction: 5

Unintentional system/detector (no fire): 1

Total: 84

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COURTESY PHOTOS

Woodstock High School Project Lead the Way Walkability team members are honored

council meeting.

two-year MCC degree to earn a bachelor’s degree in a variety of fields at the new University Center at MCC in Woodstock. The center will open for 2024 fall classes, just off the Square at 222 East Church Street.

The partner universities are Aurora University, Northern Illinois University, Roosevelt University, and Southern Illinois University. Programs range from elementary education, nursing, marketing, psychology, applied engineering, and more.

Haggerty, along with Kailley Harmon, executive director of the University Center at MCC in Woodstock, shared some information about how the university center will operate. Harmon is the point person for stu-

long daily commute or having to live on campus.

Fifty percent of classes will be online and the other half will be inperson to better accommodate student schedules. The class sizes will be small, around 10 to 12 people.

The university center also offers access to admissions, registration, and academic advising resources from each of the university partners onsite.

Haggerty and Harmon said the four colleges were chosen because many MCC transfer students had shown interest in those universities and degrees and because of new demands in the workforce. NIU was the top pick for students to transfer to after completing an associate’s degree at MCC.

Matching courses to careers

“We’re very strategic with how we grow programming,” said Haggerty. “There’s a need in our workforce, but not a big pipeline for students to go into those degrees.”

The goal is to equip students with the skills they will need to be employed while keeping an eye on the careers currently in demand. Harmon and university center staff analyze industry demands, career growth, and available associate programs to identify fields with a large demand for hiring.

The Woodstock campus

Woodstock is a convenient location for the university center. Not only is it a short 10-minute drive from the MCC campus, but its access to restaurants, green space, theater, the Metra train line, and a plethora of cultural events and activities makes it an enriching location for students.

DID YOU SEE THEM?

many others in our

dent inquiries about university center procedures.

“We want to make higher education accessible to anyone who wants to pursue it and further expand learning opportunities throughout our community,” said Haggerty.

How it works

The programs offered will all be transfer-based. Once a student completes college prerequisites at MCC, they can move on to complete a bachelor’s degree or go on to earn a master’s degree from the available courses offered at the university center. This brings the benefit of completing a four-year degree without a

Currently, the interior of the building is being renovated, including work to update classrooms, student spaces, and offices. Half of the building is complete, with a goal to finish by midsummer and be open for the 2024 fall semester.

Investing in the future

“The focus is to eliminate barriers for our students,” said Haggerty. “Education is the best investment you can make. It enriches the town … makes people more curious and aware.”

For more information about the University Center at MCC in Woodstock, visit www.mchenry.edu/ ucenter.

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO

A sign on the facility on Church Street indicates a fall opening of the new facility.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICA CARZOLI

Like

corner of the world, Woodstock Independent photographer Tricia Carzoli and her family witnessed this spectacular view of the Northern Lights north of Woodstock May 9.

OBITUARIES

Donald C. Mast, 92

Donald C. Mast transitioned peacefully on April 14, 2024. He leaves behind his second wife, Erma, with whom he enjoyed the last 20 years both in Woodstock, then in a beautiful senior living residence at Garden Spot, in Pa.; his five remaining children: Dean, Colleen, Tim, Jill, and Hans (son Pete had passed 5 years before); and many friends; most who remember him and his first wife, Eunice through their monthly sing-alongs at Masthouse.

Donald C. Mast

He got his start in a life of community service through music when in the 60s Don and “Euni” helped start a communal living “experiment” with the intention of being involved in community outreach and social justice issues. They began a weekly coffee house in their basement, free to the public; inviting speakers and musicians from Northwestern University and beyond to participate. One of the earliest influences that developed his strong passion for human rights was participating in the Walk on Washington for economic and racial equality with MLK Jr. Soon after an opportunity came from the Southern Christian Leadership Conference to participate in their summer seminars on civil rights and peace.

Being a teacher with summers free, he and Euni, a self-taught guitar player and teacher, and along with their six children, enjoyed several years at Conference Point Camp in Wisconsin, organizing nightly folk music programs around the campfire. In the 70s, Don and Eunice moved to Woodstock eventually opening their home up for monthly sing-alongs. Both beginners and well-known musicians (Pete Seeger and Taj Mahal, among them ) were given the opportunity to play on stage for a fast

growing audience, creating a community where hardships were shared and friendships forged. They joined a Volga River peace cruise in Russia comprised of musicians. This cruise began a friendship with Russian folk musicians Sergei and Tanya Nikitin, whom they eventually hosted in the U.S; finding venues where they could share their powerful music of peace and life.

Don had a strong sense of integrity and honesty. He didn’t hold back on speaking his truth to family and friends through music, or at times in passionate letters to the editor. He will be missed but his memory will live on, and the music is still alive in others who continue to inspire hope and peace in their communities today. As the Masthouse slogan says, “Music alone shall live.”

Robert ‘Rob’ J. McMahon, 62

Robert “Rob” J. McMahon was only 62 when he died May 5, 2024, at Northwestern Hospital, Huntley.

Rob, who lived with his wife, Candee, and their two “girls” – their dogs – and cat in Wonder Lake, was the son of Robert J. McMahon Sr. and Betty (Sherry) McMahon. He was born Dec. 15, 1961, in Elgin.

Rob met Candee B. Phillips on a blind date, and they married July 2, 1988, in Vandalia.

with Candee as his able assistant. What he built will last forever. It is said their deck that he engineered and built would support a semi truck.

Rob was a wonderful dancer. He learned the twist at age 4 and looked forward to weddings in part for the dancing that followed during the receptions. Another of his pastimes was riding bicycles – especially with Candee on their electric bikes. He had them tuned up and ready for a summer of riding the trails in northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Rob was a man of faith and an active member of First Presbyterian Church Woodstock and its Saturday Morning Men’s Bible Study. Even when in France for work, he participated in the Bible study via video-conferencing. He also met weekly for more than a year as a member of the pastor search committee. Both in Bible study and on the search committee he offered much appreciated and needed discernment. His services in the sound booth will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his wife, Candee; sister, Karen Nicholls; his Nicholls nephews Lon, Ron, and Scott; and his Phillips nephews Luke, Brent, Eric, Scott, and Quinn. Also surviving are eight Nicholls grandnieces and grandnephews and four great-nephews.

McHenry County College, Wenatchee Valley College and went to the Northwest School of Wooden Boat Building in Port Townsend Washington.

David was an incredible artist and a professed “Handyman”. He could fix just about anything and do it very well. He had many varied jobs including The Woodstock Opera House, Outdoor Recreation in Woodstock, John Neff Orchards in Pateros, WA, maintenance for Unisea in Dutch Harbor, AK, Mission Ridge Ski Area in Wenatchee, WA, until moving to Port Townsend for Boat School in 1989. He worked quite a variety of jobs in and around the boat business for many years for many wonderful people.

He was a Ham Radio Operator since 2019, regularly checking in to the Northwest Boater’s Net. In recent years he took up Metal Detecting and was happiest when he could return ‘finds’ to their owners. In earlier years, he enjoyed hiking, camping, bicycling, rock climbing and skiing. Lately, it was YouTubes, movies and music.

Basketball was his sport – a perfect match for his 6-foot-4 frame. It was basketball that strengthened bonds with his nephews and made for decades of Men’s Sunday Night Basketball with friends and other round-ball enthusiasts.

Rob was patient, nurturing, non-confrontational, and would roll with all kinds of situations. His soft laugh was like no other. Friends and family knew he was present even without seeing him. And, his perpetual smile was always welcoming.

Lasting friendship was one of his gifts to others. He had many friends – some from when he was in kindergarten and dozens from every segment of his life.

After graduating from Crystal Lake Central High School, he earned an associate’s degree at McHenry County College and then a B.S. in Industrial Management at Southern Illinois University. His life’s work was engineering, both as a professional at work and as a do-it-yourselfer at home. He was hardly every sick and seldom took his vacation days. At home, he was the builder

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Kristine R. Coss; and a brother, John McMahon.

A visitation was held from 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 11, 2024, at First Presbyterian Church Woodstock, 2018 N. Route 47, Woodstock. A celebration of life service followed at 2 p.m.

Memorials can be made to First Presbyterian Church Woodstock or to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation at jdrf. org/donate.

David E. Fish

David E. Fish, 77, a resident of Port Townsend, WA, for 35 years (formerly of Woodstock, Illinois) passed away on April 25, 2024 from cancer, at Life Care Center of Port Townsend, with his sister by his side.

He was born in Woodstock, Illinois, in 1946, to Edwin H. and Mildred L. (Persson, Fish) Luallen. David was baptized and confirmed at Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock. He graduated from Woodstock Community High School and served 4 years in the Navy. Later, he attended

David was preceded in death by his father, Edwin H. Fish, Stepfather William J. Luallen, many Aunts, Uncles, Cousins & Grandparents. He is survived by his Mother, Mildred Luallen, his Sister, Mary Ann Fish (both new residents of Port Townsend), Stepbrother Steve (Maggie) Luallen, Stepsister Kris (Joe) Thurow, Nephew Jason (Suzanne) Biel, Niece Rebecca (Erik) Berg, Great Nieces and Nephews, many cousins, and so many loving and amazing friends.

It’s difficult to capture, in a few words, the life of an amazing, kind, generous, talented, loving man, son, brother and friend. He will be sorely missed, loved and remembered always.

Many thanks to the entire staff at Life Care Center of Port Townsend for the fine, kind care he received, as well as Jefferson Healthcare Hospice and Jefferson Healthcare Medical Center.

Memorials could be made to the charity of your choice. Often, even though David sometimes had little money, he would send donations to World Vision and other charities for those less fortunate or suffering from disasters. That’s just who he was.

Cremation arrangements were made with Bradley-Kosec Funeral Home & Crematory and his obituary is available on their website and on The Port Townsend Leader website.

Email obituaries to pr@thewoodstockindependent.com. You may also mail them or drop them off at 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098.

For more information, call The Independent at 815-338-8040

Robert ‘Rob’ J. McMahon

David E. Fish

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Opinion

Woodstock, IL • 1987

What’s new this summer? Let me tell you …

It’s time to finally put away your snow shovels (unless you want to keep them handy to scoop up cicadas) and enjoy the Midwest’s version of summer – that brief season of T-shirt temps that occurs between post-winter and pre-winter. Woodstock has a bumper crop of summertime activities every year (check out the SumFun calendar of events in this issue) but there are a few new events this year that promise to be especially interesting, fun and unique.

• Shakespeare in the Square

Swordplay, comedy, drama, love, hate, revenge, romance, young love - Shakespeare’s got something for everyone. Throw in the Woodstock High School Madrigal Singers, face-painting and some puppetry, and you’ve got a doozy of an event.

This is a brand new, free production in the Park in the Square, on Saturday, July 6, and Saturday, August 3. Both shows are at 2 p.m., featuring Woodstock’s newest theater company, the Woodstock Shakespeare Players. They will perform snippets from some of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays, including, “Romeo and Juliet,” “Hamlet,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Macbeth,” and “The Merry Wives of Windsor.”

There’s even a special section with wedding scenes from “The Taming of the Shrew,” and “Much Ado About Nothing.”

The players will perform near the bandstand, but at ground level for a more immersive audience experience. Bring your blankets and folding chairs and enjoy.

• A new art fair on the Square in September

The city of Woodstock is bringing a new art fair to the Square on September 21-22, with 75 original artists and live music. The event will also include a Kid’s Art Stop, Live Art Demo, Art Fest Bingo,

Bull Valley thanks Enbridge for Still Farm restoration

The Village of Bull Valley would like to express its appreciation to Enbridge for making two years of progress on the Still Farm restoration possible. Enbridge’s corporate citizenship

of the new offerings in Woodstock this summer, a showing of “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and Shakespeare in the Square

Spin Art, Sand Sculptures, coloring, drawing, face painting and more. Food will be available, including beverages and snacks. To top it off, there will be a raffle for a $100 Art Fest Gift Card to spend at the fest.

• Special presentation of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ (movie trilogy at Classic Cinemas)

For something truly unique, Woodstock’s Classic Cinemas on the Square will present a special,

program, Enbridge Fueling Futures, supports programs that strengthen the safety, vibrancy and sustainability of our communities in areas where Enbridge has pipelines.

The Still Farm restoration project at the intersection of Bull Valley Road and Country Club Road has received

three-day movie event that will delight fans of the Lord of the Rings movies. The films will be shown in order, on three consecutive days: Saturday, June 8, and Sunday, June 9, at 4 p.m.; and Monday, June 10, at 7 p.m. These will be remastered, extended, director’s cut versions (three to four hours each) in 4K Ultra HD. Advance tickets are on sale now and will go fast.

So have some fun this summer - it will be gone before you know it.

a $5,000 Fueling Futures grant from Enbridge to help with the restoration of three acres of prairie just north of the dog park.

This is the second year Enbridge has provided funds for the project. In 2023 they donated $7,500.

In addition to Enbridge’s grants,

the Still Farm stewards have procured grants from Trees Forever and Sierra Club, thereby funding their entire budget without taxpayer money for the second year in a row.

Emily Berendt Village President

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTOS

Two

Spring Connection

Each year, Edinburgh, Scotland is consumed by spring. Early April sees the resurrection of the sweet and small crocus, foreshadowing the arrival of thistles, heather, and bluebells come May. Locals and tourists alike shake off the cold of winter and defrost in the rays of sun, keeping one eye open for the inevitable soak of rain. Gorse, a stubborn woody shrub native to Scotland, dons its Easter-yellow blooms and transforms the brute back of Arthur’s Seat, an ancient volcano, into a bright yellow beacon that alerts the city of spring’s arrival.

Over 3,700 miles away, spring has arrived in Woodstock, Illinois, too. Outside of town, fields are softened at the edges with thickets of soybeans and stalks of corn growing taller and taller by the minute. In town, tulips stand proud and tall from bulb to bloom while peonies spread their petals, boasting various shades of pink. Dogwood trees shed their petals in droves, releasing them with each visiting bird and breeze, building a carpet of wilting white blooms below. Pedestrians passing meet the dogwood tree with a sudden reverence, their footfall muffled by discarded blooms, beckons a moment of silence and respect for the cycle of life.

It’s no wonder Vivaldi began “The Four Seasons” with Concerto No. 1, “Spring.” Spring bursts forth with a force so strong it stings eyes and makes noses run. But, seasonal allergies be damned, people across Edinburgh and Woodstock venture out to indulge in spring together.

» YOUR PUBLIC OFFICIALS

U.S. Rep. Bill Foster 11th Disrict Office

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

State Rep. Steve Reick District Office 1072 Lake Ave. Woodstock, IL 60098 815-880-5340

I NDEPENDENT

Émile Durkheim, often referred to as the “father of sociology,” looked the part of an early-twentieth-century French intellectual; sporting a wiry mustache, pince-nez glasses, and a furrowed brow. This sociologist was my unlikely but constant companion while earning my bachelor’s degree in sociology. In 1912, Durkheim coined the concept “collective effervescence.” This refers to the moments individuals gather to perform the same action or participate in the same ritual as a group. This collective action brings about a feeling of unity and vivacity, making the whole greater than the sum of parts. Spring is overflowing with moments of collective effervescence. The Woodstock Farmers Market is one place where these magical moments are abundant. An almost tangible sense of connection can be felt as other attendees weave through stalls filled with locally made goods and fresh produce. Some of my favorite memories of growing up in Woodstock and feeling connected to my local community. Running into old neighbors and friends on the Square, I am reminded how important it is to be known. I find a particular joy when picking out fresh squash, tomatoes, and onions grown from the same water, air, and earth that sustains me and complete strangers. Yet another

reminder that we are all effervescently connected. The Woodstock Farmers Market is transformed from a practical grocery shop to a communal ritual that reinforces bonds and highlights how much we depend on each other.

My friends and I lounge in a circle, some cross-legged and others draped across each other’s laps in a tangle of limbs. Sweaters and jackets are sacrificially laid down as our temporary thrones in a city park. As we sit together for hours, talking of nothing in particular, rays of sun and a cool breeze tangle our hair and freckle our skin. The seats of our pants are eventually soaked through as our impromptu picnic blankets meet the spring rain that lurks beneath the pokey green grass. Wetbottomed and sun burnt, we revel in the brilliance of spring. I like to imagine a group of friends participating in the same ritual over 3,700 miles away in Woodstock. A smattering of picnic blankets covering a small slice of Emricson Park, or perhaps in the Square. As the day stretches on, so do these friendships, growing deeper and stronger with every story exchanged and experience shared. Together, sharing in the spring season, these friends celebrate shared experience and connect with a community bigger than themselves.

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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Corrections

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

Staff

PUBLISHER EMERITA Cheryl Wormley c wormley@thewoodstockindependent com

PUBLISHER Rebecca McDaniel rebecca@thewoodstockindependent com

EDITOR Larry Lough larry@thewoodstockindependent com

ADVERTISING Jill Flores jill@thewoodstockindependent com

ASSOCIATE EDITOR Sandy Kucharski sandy@thewoodstockindependent.com

PHOTOGRAPHER Ken Farver ken@thewoodstockindependent com

COLUMNISTS

Paul Lockwood, Lisa Haderlein, Dan Chamness, Patricia Kraft, Nancy Shevel, Julie Peters

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Vicky Long

CORRESPONDENTS

Tricia Carzoli, Janet Dovidio, Susan W. Murray, Megan Ivers, Lydia LaGue, Eileen Millard, Ruth Raubertas, Juel Mecklenberg, Seth Rowe, Julian Senn-Raemont

EDITORIAL CARTOONIST Jim Mansfield

PROOFREADER Don Humbertson CIRCULATION

Beverly Meuch, Dennis Micheletti, Bill Schwerdtfeger, John Wickham

Deadlines & contacts

NOON WEDNESDAY Press releases and photos pr@thewoodstockindependent com

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR pr@thewoodstockindependent.com

State Sen. Craig Wilcox District Office

209 N. Benton St. Woodstock, IL 600098

McHenry County Board

Chairman Michael Buehler 1630 Quail Way Crystal Lake, IL 60014 815-334-4224 (work) mjbuehler@co.mchenry.il.us

Woodstock Mayor Mike Turner 121 W. Calhoun St. Woodstock, IL 60098 815-338-4302 mturner@woodstockil.gov

Dorr Township

Supervisor Susan Brokaw 1039 Lake Ave. Woodstock, IL 60098 815-338-0125 supervisor@dorrtownship.com

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of the Week - Fredy Mejia Almanza

Fredy Mejia Almanza, a senior at Woodstock High School, is the son of Maria Almanza and Alfredo Mejia of Woodstock.

His nominating teacher described him as hard working and among the top students in his class. “Fredy is a genuinely kind student and a positive influence on those around him,” his teacher said.

Fredy is involved in Auto’s Club and Blue Streak Service Club at school and volunteers at the Woodstock Public Library. He graduates

Schools

‘Week of giving’

Marian Central Catholic High School completes successful fundraiser

By Jan Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Marian Central students participated in a “Week of Giving” from April 15-19 that included special events and activities each day for the purpose of raising money for the Fund for Marian Central.

“This fund aids in all things Marian such as tuition assistance, faculty enrichment, salaries, emergency funds and aid for the school’s extracurriculars like clubs and organizations,” Director of Communications Vannessa Garrelts ’18 said. “The fund is a way for Marian to make advancements in multiple ways rather than have specific fundraising events for specific projects.”

For example, if the theater program needs props that are beyond its own budget, it can apply for money for that use.

Creative themes

The five days of the week focused on different themes. Answer-theCall Monday included 20 student volunteers who telephoned people from the school families and wider community to request donations. A cowbell rang for every donation. Chaplain Father Charles Warren announced the ongoing totals throughout the evening. This effort resulted in gifts from more than 145 different people.

“It was a fun night, spending time with classmates and reaching out to people who also love and support Marian,” Lucy Iden ’24 said.

Faculty and staff enjoyed Teacher Appreciation Tuesday with coffee and donuts through the morning. We Succeed Wednesday celebrated the school’s extracurricular activities. Social media pages included highlights and photos of teams and clubs.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Students Julie Diamond and Katie Green, Class of 2027, work phones at the Phone-a-thon.

The homecoming parade in 1964.

“Extracurricular activities play a pivotal role in student development,” Garrelts added.

Throwback Thursday focused on the school’s history, with many displays of past year’s parades and events. Memories of the classes of ’64, ’79, and ’81 were especially prominent. Finish Line Friday completed the week with a Phonea-thon thank you video released

that afternoon.

“We are so grateful to the Marian community for their support throughout this Week of Giving,” Director of Advancement Kaitlin Bordeaux ’09 added. “We raised a total of $115,346.00. Our donors’ investment gives inspiration and provides for our students of today and also plans for the generations of students tomorrow.”

IN BRIEF

WHS, WNHS among state’s ‘Best High Schools’

Both Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 high schools were named among the top 100 of the Best High Schools in Illinois according to U.S. News and World Report’s annual high school rankings.

Woodstock High School was 72nd in this year’s rankings, released in April, while Woodstock North High School was ranked 91st, moving up 28 spots since last school year.

Woodstock North Principal Josh Segura credited his staff with making great strides to break into the top 100 schools of the more than 700 ranked by the publication.

“Moving up 28 spots is not a fluke; it is the result of being intentional with our focus and work. Our growth, year-over-year, is an accomplishment to be celebrated,” Segura said.

The rankings are based on a number of factors including state standardized student test scores, the number of students taking AP exams among other data including how minority and economically disadvantaged students perform academically. Both schools have graduation rates above 91 percent, which is another factor considered. WNHS scored an 84.5 out of a possible 100 according to the publication’s criteria. Some of Woodstock North’s highlights include a College Readiness rank of 80 among Illinois high schools noted among other factors by date showing that more than 51 percent of students took at least one Advanced Placement exam during high school.

Overall, Woodstock High School scored an 89.6 out of 100 under the ranking system. Among WHS’s notable rankings were ranking 36th in the state in College Readiness and 71st in the Curriculum Breadth Index. According to the data, 60 percent of students took at least one Advanced Placement exam last year.

Justin Smith, District 200 assistant superintendent for middle and high school education, said both schools should be proud of their rankings and that high school staff members are always striving for improvement to ensure that students receive the best education and opportunities possible.

A & E

Behind the mask...

By Caryl Dierksen NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Friends of the Old Courthouse raised more than $4,600 Saturday night at their Masked Courthouse Singer competition, held at the Woodstock Opera House. Eight masked and costumed singers performed a wide variety of musical styles for an enthusiastic audience. Voting was done through contributions, both online before the show and during intermission.

Cayla Learman, performing as Sasquatch, finished in first place after bringing down the house with her rendition of “At Last.” Second place went to Nick Weber, “Wizard,” singing Pink Floyd’s “Hey You.”

The other masked singers included Betsy Cosgray, Carrie Filetti, Brad Ball, Billy Seger, Cassandra Vohs-Demann, and Groundhog mascot Woodstock Willie, who danced but did not sing.

All proceeds from the event will support the nonprofit mission of the Friends of the Old Courthouse.

CONGRATULATIONS

This is your time to shine.

Carrie Filetti rocks as Sasstronaut singing ‘Defying Gravity.’

The winner is ... Sasquatch, who belts out a beautiful rendition of “At Last,” crooning to the top and winning the Masked Courthouse Singer. She was revealed to be Cayla Learman.

Learning from a master

WHS Jazz Ensemble gets tips from jazz musician Lenard Simpson

By Jan Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

The Woodstock High School Jazz Ensemble learned from a master for its April 24th concert.

WHS Band Director Kevin Fredrick met jazz musician Lenard Simpson when both attended Northern Illinois University as undergraduates. When Fredrick went into teaching, Simpson attended the Herbie Hancock Institute in Los Angeles where he studied with jazz musician, bandleader, and composer Hancock, met saxophonist and composer Wayne Shorter, and toured around the world while living there.

“Lenard is one of the most successful up-and-coming artists in the jazz scene,” Fredrick said. ”After he moved here I saw him at one of his performances in downtown Chicago and asked him if he would come to Woodstock to work with our jazz students, and he said ‘when and where!’”

Simpson worked with students after school the day prior to the concert. They learned more about topics like improvisation, style and

playing in the big band sound. They also worked with him on the music they had prepared for the concert. Simpson helped the combo as well

as the entire band.

“Having one of Chicago’s finest saxophone players come to Woodstock allowed the students and the audience to hear a master on his instrument,” Fredrick continued.

The WHS Jazz Ensemble played a set of music to start the concert. Then Simpson played two pieces in the combo setting with the students, followed by three big band charts with the whole band. He told the students to laugh, smile, and enjoy making music with each other on concert night, not just for the audience but also for themselves. He even learned all the students’ names during their practices.

“The experience was unforgettable for our students,” Fredrick concluded. “A lot of students spoke so much of how impressive and masterful Lenard is as a musician. They couldn’t get over how much of a normal, kind, humble, and down to earth person he is.”

Simpson’s trio has appeared at premier clubs and jazz festivals throughout the Chicago and Milwaukee areas. For more information visit https://lenardsimpsonmusic.com.

IN BRIEF

MCC art gallery features student exhibit to June 6

McHenry County College will be hosting an exhibit of student art now through June 6 in Galleries One and Two, located inside and outside the library, respectively.

The MCC Student Art Exhibit is an annual event that gives students enrolled in credit art courses the opportunity to participate in the jury process for an art competition. Students get the chance to exhibit at the college level, prepare artwork for presentation in a gallery, view their work in a professional setting, and potentially receive awards. For many students, this is the first time submitting artwork to a competitive jury process and, if selected, seeing their artwork hanging in a gallery.

The pieces in the exhibit and the awards were chosen by members of the MCC Art Department and Ryan Long Memorial Scholarship Fund representatives. More than 170 pieces were submitted by MCC students, 42 of which were selected for exhibition. The works include ceramics, drawings, graphic design, jewelry, paintings, photography, sculpture, and video.

There will be an awards reception Thursday, May 2, at 6 p.m. in the MCC Conference Center, A213. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, to request pricing, or to be added to the mailing list for upcoming exhibitions, please contact Trevor Power, Art Gallery Curator, at tpower@mchenry. edu.

Lenard Simpson (left) with WHS Band Director Kevin Fredrick.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Jazz musician Lenard Simpson performs with Jazz Ensemble musicians Ivan Leiva on guitar, Alex Srai on tenor sax, and Teagan Harvey on alto sax.

Business

Ready to shop for ready-to-wear

Gracie Lou’s Boutique opens at The Thoughtfulness Shop

By Susan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

The memories of longtime Woodstock residents might stretch as far back as Wien’s Women’s Wear at Cass and Main in the 1940s or maybe to the Vogue Shop in the 1950s. Younger residents can remember English Rose or Sonshine Girl.

But until about five years ago, there were periods of time when women had few options when

shopping for clothing on the Woodstock Square.

That changed when Hattie & Myrt debuted in 2019, followed by Curated by D & A. Add in the clothing options at Blue Thistle and The Backdrop, along with what can be had at the thrift shops - Sparrow’s Nest and Fulfilled Thrift - and a dress shopping excursion can occupy a morning.

And the choices just expanded.

In April, Jill Tinelli Ferrarini opened Gracie Lou’s Boutique inside The Thoughtfulness Shop at 104 Cass Street.

“The more boutiques we have on the Square for women, the more we

Alan Hafferkamp Blake Hafferkamp Brittany Hafferkamp

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Jill Tinelli Ferrarini folds jeans at Gracie Lou’s Boutique.

own boutique “is a dream come true,” she said.

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office April 9 to 16 .

■ Residence at 8602 Pebble Creek Court, Wonder Lake, was sold by CalAtlantic Group LLC, Schaumburg, to The Karen Haro Revocable Living Trust, Wonder Lake, for $349,900.

■ Residence at 2015 Harrow Gate Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Dennis M. Lynch, Louisville, Ky., to William Kirsch, Woodstock, for $430,000.

■ Residence at 119 Peachtree Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Thomas Skok, Lake Stevens, Wash., to Erika Tapia, Woodstock, for $176,000.

■ Residence at 817 Clay St., Woodstock, was sold by The Thomas L. LaBelle Trust No. 1, Woodstock, to Stephanie Duenas, Woodstock, for $234,900.

■ Residence at 8311 Ramble Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by Custom Development LLC, Fox Lake, to Anthos Baenen, Wonder Lake, for $309,500.

■ Residence at 1083 Greenwood Circle, Woodstock, was sold by Jennifer L. Beam, Minneapolis, Minn., to Bruno Goossens, Woodstock, for $165,000.

■ Residence at 1692 Woodside Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Pablo Castaneda, Hebron, to Juan Pablo Castaneda, Woodstock, for $220,000.

■ Residence at 9370 Ryan Court, Wonder Lake, was sold by Leonard M. Greetis Declaration of Trust, Wonder Lake, to Jason Brown, Wonder Lake, for $400,000.

■ Residence at 2507 Verdi St., Woodstock, was sold by The Crystal A. Baker Living Trust, Woodstock, to The Monika A. Perdriau Trust, Woodstock, for $300,000.

■ Residence at 2014 Harrow Gate Drive, Woodstock, was sold by The McLaughlin Living Trust, Itasca, to The Dowell Family Trust, Woodstock, for $489,000.

“I’m

looking to complement what’s on the Square with something

GRACIE LOU

Continued from Page 12

become a destination for them to shop,” Ferrarini said.

For a gamut of shoppers

Gracie Lou’s occupies the back half of The Thoughtfulness Shop; My Little Bow Peeps Shop, the children’s clothing store, is next door at 102 Cass Street.

Ferrarini describes the clothing she carries as appealing to everyone from “fun, sassy, trendy teens to sophisticated businesswomen.”

Ferrarini scours the markets in Atlanta, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York City for her inventory and prefers clothing made in the U.S., Canada, Europe, or Peru.

Gracie Lou’s stock includes Tshirts, shorts, jeans, sundresses, cocktail dresses for summer parties, jean jackets, and loungewear. A crafter in Connecticut provides crocheted ponchos and vests.

Accessories include sunglasses, jewelry, and sneakers. Ferrarini said that Gracie Lou’s will begin carrying

handbags in the fall.

Several years removed from the COVID pandemic when many people worked from and sheltered at home in their comfortable sweats, “women want to dress nice again,” Ferrarini said.

That does not mean, however, that anyone is looking to go back to the power suit.

Women want to be “fashion-forward, a little edgy, but comfortable,” Ferrarini said.

A dream come true

Ferrarini has been in retail sales since age 16, from mom-and-pop shops to department stores.

Wanting to work but also be home when her children were not at school, she started a commercial cleaning business. Named A. Rose Cleaning for her oldest daughter, Amelia Rose, that venture is ongoing.

Her career background includes managing several women’s clothing boutiques in Lake Geneva.

“My dream was always to have my own boutique,” Ferrarini said.

In November, a friend urged her

to talk to Craig Wilcox and Janice Ricci Wilcox, owners of The Thoughtfulness Shop and My Little Bow Peeps Shop.

Several conversations and a lot of prayer later, Gracie’s Lou’s was born, Ferrarini said.

The name is a nod to her second daughter, Victoria Grace, whom Ferrarini often calls “Gracie Lou.”

Situated inside The Thoughtfulness Shop on the Square, “I couldn’t ask for a better spot,” she said.

Making people happy

Recently a customer came in whom Ferrarini urged to try on the store’s jeans, which she described as being “soft, with just a little stretch.”

“Women hate to try jeans on,” Ferrarini said.

But her customer was persuaded, utilizing the shop’s new fitting room.

She left the store with three pairs of jeans in a bag.

“I love when someone walks out with a smile on her face,” Ferrarini said. “This is where my heart isto work with people to make them happy about what they’re wearing.”

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI

unique,” said Jill Tinelli Ferrarini of the clothing at Gracie Lou’s Boutique at The Thoughtfulness Shop.

SUM FUN!

Shakespeare is coming to the Square

’We want to show people that Shakespeare can be a lot of fun’

Eileen Millard FOR SUM/FUN

Comedy, drama, love, hate, history, romance, betrayal, sword fighting - you name it, Shakespeare’s got it. Add in some puppetry, the Woodstock High School Madrigal Singers, and some face painting, and you’ve got “A Bit o’ the Bard,” a free Shakespeare performance in the Park in the Square.

Woodstock’s newest theater company, the Woodstock Shakespeare Players, will present two free shows this summer in the Park in the Square, on Saturday, July 6, and Saturday, August 3. Both shows are at 2 p.m. and will feature scenes from some of Shakespeare’s best-loved plays.

Something for everyone

Marisa Snook and Angie Kells, who founded the troupe along with Jason Ryan Lovett, said the 90-minute performance will include scenes from “Romeo and Juliet,” “Hamlet,” “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Macbeth,” and “The Merry Wives of Windsor.”

A special section will be comprised of wedding scenes, including material from “The Taming of the Shrew,” and “Much Ado About Nothing.”

“I think people will be surprised at how much fun Shakespeare can be,” Snook said. “That’s part of the reason we’re doing snippets of scenes, to show them that Shakespeare is already in their lives. (It’s) in so many TV shows, like ‘Succession,’ and movies, like “The Lion King,” that are spinoffs of Shakespeare’s plays.” Even if you’ve never seen a Shakespeare play, or read a play in school, she said, you’ll find something to like.

An immersive experience

The performers will not be using the bandstand in the park as a stage. “We’re going to be very immersive,” said Kells. “We’ll be in the crowd, on

(ground) level.” She said that for this type of event, being up on the bandstand “sort of cuts you off. We want to perform for the people.”

When asked if the puppet scene will have any kind of traditional puppet show backdrop, Kells said with a laugh, “No, they’re going to come at you! We want to be closer to the audience, so you’ll see the puppeteers, and they are going to perform right there for you.“

“Just like when Shakespeare did it back in the day,” added Snook. She compared the style to the experience of the “groundlings,” the people who couldn’t afford the expensive gallery seats in Shakespeare’s time.

They would stand for the entire performance, close to the stage, near the actors. “That’s the kind of feeling that we want to get,” said Snook.

When asked if the background noise in the Square might be distracting, Snook said, “(But) that’s part of the beauty … the show must go on, and that makes it interesting.”

Both Snook and Kells come from long theater backgrounds. Snook studied theater in college, and part of her studies were in London, where Shakespeare’s plays were performed. Kells coordinated a Shakespeare in the Park program in McHenry. They were both excited at the chance to bring this free event to the Park in the Square, in

the shadow of the Woodstock Opera House. “We’re so lucky to have this jewel of a theater right in our backyard,” Kells said.

More in the future?

When asked if any Shakespeare was in the future, indoors on the Opera House stage, Snook said, “Who knows … we’re taking this one step at a time.”

As for more Shakespeare in the Park, Snook said it is definitely a possibility if people enjoy it this year.

Both the July 6 and August 3 performances will be free, although donations to support the troupe will be welcome. Seating will be on a first-come first-served basis in the park.

COURTESY PHOTO

Pictured are some of the Woodstock Shakespeare Players. Front row, from left, are: Angie Kells, Kathie Comella and Kylee Jones. Back row: Marisa Snook (in the tree); Greg Waldyn and Jake Seelye.

MAY

ONGOING

SUM FUN!

25 - Saturday

WOODSTOCK WATER WORKS OPENING DAY

1313 Kishwaukee Valley Road 12 - 7 p.m.

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

Tuesdays through September and Saturdays through October Woodstock Square

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

18 - Saturday

STAGE LEFT SESSIONS

Michael Charles Stage Left Cafe

125 W. Van Buren St.

8 - 10 p.m.

18-19 Saturday & Sunday

PEDALPALOOZA

Family Health Partnership Clinic

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Across McHenry County $30 adults, $15 kids https://www.pedalpalooza4fhpc.org/

19 – Sunday

TOUCH-A-TRUCK

Farm and Fleet parking lot 11501 Hwy. 14

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Non-perishable food donations sought for “Load the Loader”

24 – Friday

25 - Saturday

MELISSA O’LEARY SPLASH BASH MEMORIAL RUN

5K Run/Walk & 1-Mile Family Water Run

Woodstock Water Works 1313 Kishwaukee Valley Road 8 a.m.

815-338-4363

27- Monday

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY AND PARADE

Park in the Square 10 a.m.

31- Friday

SINK OAR SWIM - CARDBOARD CUP REGATTA

Woodstock Water Works

1313 Kishwaukee Valley Road

5 - 9 p.m.

$20 per entry

JUNE

1 – Saturday

SUMMER READING KICK-OFF BRIGHT STAR TOURING THEATRE

& BIKE CRUISE Sunday, May 19th | 11a - 4p

‘BEAUTY & THE BEAST’- A MOVIE SING-ALONG

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

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 2-3 p.m.

1 – Saturday

3RD ANNUAL FOOD TRUCK FESTIVAL

25 – Saturday

THE NEVERLY BROTHERS

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St. 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Woodstock Square 4-9 p.m.

1 – Saturday

ELTON DAN & THE ROCKET BAND

Woodstock Opera House

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

woodstockoperahouse.com

SUM FUN!

2 - Sunday

OFF SQUARE MUSIC PRESENTS SUNDAYS ON THE SQUARE

Featuring Hot Lagarto Woodstock Square

5-7 p.m.

5 – Wednesday

WOODSTOCK CITY BAND

“Sail the Ocean Blue” Ice Cream Social Park in the Square 7 p.m.

815-338-5300

8 - Saturday

‘THE SLEEPING BEAUTY, ‘JUDITH SVALANDER SCHOOL OF DANCE

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St. 2 and 7 p.m.

815-338-5300

8-9 - Saturday-Sunday

WOODSTOCK PRIDEFEST

Saturday: Rainbow run

9 a.m. Pub crawl, 6 p.m.

Sunday: Parade and Festivities 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. woodstockilpride.com

12 - Wednesday

WOODSTOCK CITY BAND

“Danzas Latinas” Ice cream social Park in the Square

7 p.m.

815-338-5300

13-27 - Thursday

MOVIES IN THE PARK Park in the Square

8:30 p.m.

815-338-5300

19 - Wednesday

WOODSTOCK CITY BAND

“Wide Open Spaces”

Ice cream social Park in the Square

7 p.m.

815-338-5300

21-30 - Friday-Sunday

‘SWEENEY TODD’

Theatre 121

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St. evenings and matinees

815-338-5300

26 - Wednesday

WOODSTOCK CITY BAND

“For Kids from One to Ninety-Two” Ice cream social Park in the Square

7 p.m.

815-338-5300

27 - Thursday

MISS WOODSTOCK 2024 SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

815-338-5300

JULY

3 - Wednesday

WOODSTOCK CITY BAND

“From Coast to Coast” Ice cream social Park in the Square

7 p.m.

815-338-5300

4 - Thursday

INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS

Emricson Park 1313 Kishwaukee Valley Rd. Gates open at 5 p.m.

6 - Saturday

SHAKESPEARE IN THE SQUARE

“A Bit O’ The Bard” Woodstock Square 2 p.m.

6 – Saturday

OSCAR MIKE FOURTH ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE RIDE

Woodstock Harley-Davidson 2235 S. Eastwood Drive

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

815-568-2770

JUNE, continued

6 - Saturday

SUM FUN!

12-14 - Friday-Sunday

CHILL MURRAY COMEDY SHOW

Stage Left Cafe 125 W. Van Buren St. 8-10 p.m.

7 - Sunday

OFF SQUARE MUSIC PRESENTS SUNDAYS ON THE SQUARE

Featuring South for Winter Woodstock Square 5-7 p.m.

10 - Wednesday

WOODSTOCK CITY BAND

“Passport, Please!” Ice cream social Park in the Square 7 p.m.

815-338-5300

WOODSTOCK SUMMER CHILDREN’S THEATRE SHREK JR. THE MUSICAL

Woodstock North High School 3000 Raffel Road

17 - Wednesday

WOODSTOCK CITY BAND

“My Kind of Town” Ice cream social Park in the Square 7 p.m.

815-338-5300

20 - Saturday

GAVERS COMMUNITY CANCER FOUNDATION BARNDANCE

Emricson Park 1313 Kishwaukee Valley Rd. 5 p.m.-midnight gavers.org

SUM FUN!

30-31 - Tuesday -

MCHENRY COUNTY FAIR

McHenry County Fairgrounds 11900 Country Club Road Schedule: mchenrycountyfair.com

AUGUST

1-4 - Thursday - Sunday

MCHENRY COUNTY FAIR

McHenry County Fairgrounds 11900 Country Club Road Schedule: mchenrycountyfair.com

SUM FUN!

AUGUST, continued

4 - Sunday

OFF SQUARE MUSIC PRESENTS SUNDAYS ON THE SQUARE

Featuring Empty Pockets Woodstock Square 5-7 p.m.

SEPTEMBER

1 - Sunday

OFF SQUARE MUSIC PRESENTS SUNDAYS ON THE SQUARE

Woodstock Square

Featuring John Hegner and Friends 5-7 p.m.

15 - Sunday

MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION

5 - Saturday

POP UP PARAGON 2 2024 MIDWEST PARANORMAL CONFERENCE & VIP WITCH HUNT

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St. 11:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

17- Thursday

CREATIVE LIVING SERIES

Thomas Swick

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St. 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.

18-20 – Friday-Sunday AUTUMN DRIVE

Eighth annual/Hispanic Connections Park in the Square Noon-6 p.m. woodstockilchamber.com/ mexican-independence-day-celebration/ 815-338-2436

20 - Friday

JAZZ NIGHT

Stage Left Cafe 115 W. Van Buren St. 8 - 10 p.m.

29 – Sunday

MCHENRY COUNTY FARM STROLL

Locations throughout McHenry County including Woodstock 10 a.m. to 4 p.

OCTOBER

4 - Friday

POP UP PARAGON 2 2024 MIDWEST PARANORMAL CONFERENCE & VIP WITCH HUNT

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St. 3:00-7:30 p.m.

Autumn drive through rural Woodstock and Marengo 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. autumndrivefestival@gmail.com

20 – Sunday

CARE4 BREAST CANCER 5K

Family Health Partnership Clinic

Woodstock North High School 3000 Raffel Road 10:30 a.m. hpclinic.org

27 – Sunday WITCHES & WIZARDS OF WOODSTOCK

Fantasy festival

Woodstock Square Noon-4 p.m. witchesandwizardsevent.com

Community

Weavers Guild shares craft with many

Group to demonstrate at Art in the Square June 2

Staff Report

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Visitors to Woodstock’s new Art in the Square event in June will be treated to weaving demonstrations by Warp and Weft Weavers Guild.

Members will be demonstrating weaving on various types of looms and selling merchandise at the fair to be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday, June 2.

Keeping the art alive

Warp and Weft Weavers Guild is a group of hand weavers from northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin. The guild was formed in Woodstock in 1998, and they continue to meet in Woodstock.

The skill levels in the group range from beginning to professional.

The guild has actively demonstrated their craft at art shows throughout McHenry County, showing at venues including the Old Courthouse, McHenry County College, and Peterson Farm in McHenry. They have also demonstrated weaving at McHenry County fairground events such as Sheep Festival and the McHenry County Farm Bureau’s Ag in the Classroom’s Ag Expo.

The program was on hold for several years, but returned in April of 2024, with many of their favorite presenters, including Warp and Weft. Twelve guild members greeted third and fourth graders from throughout McHenry County, teaching about natural plant and animal fibers.

In the five-minute rotations, they covered fiber types and processing, dyeing, spinning and weaving.

Join the fun

Warp and Weft Weavers Guild meets at 10 a.m. the first Wednesday of each month from September

The Pursuit of True Happiness

“Happiness is two kinds of ice cream. Knowing a secret. Climbing a tree. Happiness is five different crayons. Catching a firefly. Setting him free. Happiness is being alone every now and then. And happiness is coming home again.”

– Lyrics from the song, “Happiness” in “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown”

through June at the McHenry County Farm Bureau building.

The general business meeting is followed by an educational program. Programs address a variety of topics including weaving on various types of looms, dyeing fiber, weaving techniques, and weaving history.

A highlight of the meeting is show and tell, when members showcase items they have made such as scarves, table runners, placemats, dish towels, rugs, bags, pot holders, blankets, shawls, and yardage for various clothing items.

Educational demonstrations and workshops are offered throughout the year, and the guild also has an extensive lending library for members.

Interested persons are welcome to attend a meeting and invited to come early for coffee and tea.

For more information, visit warpandweftweaversguild.org.

Paul Lockwood A Musing

What exactly is happiness? The lyrics above talk about some of the simple pleasures of life, but is momentary happiness the same as true happiness? Our country is founded on the ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, but how do we pursue something that could greatly differ for each of us? Many times, we have reasons to be unhappy (e.g., world events, traumatic experiences, times we took the “wrong” fork in the road). But where can we find happiness?

Some answers can be found in the World Happiness Report.

Don’t laugh. It’s legit. As you’ll discover at worldhappiness.report, the World Happiness Report (WHR) comes from a partnership of Gallup, the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre, and the WHR’s Editorial Board, and it’s been around for over a decade. The WHR examines the state of happiness all over the planet and it shows “how the science of happiness explains personal and

See A Musing Page 24

COURTESY PHOTOS

Members of the Warp and Weft Weavers Guild share the art of weaving with student visitors to the Ag in the Classroom Ag Expo, in April at the McHenry County Fairgrounds.

An example of a weaving loom provided by Warp and Weft Weavers Guild.

D-200 Musicians of the Month

Betsy Osborn

Westwood Elementary School, 5th Grade

What music activities are you involved in at school and what instruments do you play? Orchestra, the viola

What got you interested in music?

I was shown an orchestra presentation and when I heard the viola,

I just thought it was the perfect mix of high and low notes.

What is your favorite part of participating in orchestra?

I enjoy beginning to learn songs because I feel the satisfaction of being able to read and play the notes.

What is your favorite song or musical artist?

No one specifc; I enjoy instrumentals.

Leila Murphy

Westwood Elementary School, 5th Grade

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

I play percussion with the 5th grade band. I play drums and bells.

What got you interested in music?

I saw my favorite singer in concert and one of his band members was playing drums. I liked it and wanted to try it.

What is your favorite part of participating in band?

I like learning new music.

What is your favorite song or musical artist ?

Pop Evil and Jelly Roll

Norah Thomas

Westwood Elementary School, 5th Grade

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

I sing in chorus and play the clarinet in band.

What got you interested in music?

My dad introduced me to all types of music and I’ve been singing all my life. When I heard about chorus, I signed up.

What is your favorite part of participating in band and chorus?

Experiencing new notes on clarinet and new sounds in voices

What is your favorite song or musical artist ?

My favorite genre is country, and favorite artist is Taylor Swift.

Zoelie Avila

Westwood Elementary School, 5th

Grade

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

I play the flute in band, I play the violin in orchestra, and I sing in chorus.

What got you interested in music?

I saw some family members playing instruments and I wanted to learn to do the same.

What is your favorite part of participating in band?

Learning to play instruments, spending time with friends

What is your favorite song or musical artist ?

I don’t have favorites because I like all types of music.

A MUSING

Continued from Page 23

national variations in happiness.”

Since March 20 is the International Day of Happiness – because of a 2012 resolution adopted by the United Nations General Assembly – the WHR is released each year around that date.

The principal source of data for the WHR is the Gallup World Poll, which gets about 1,000 responses each year for each nation to what’s called the Cantril ladder. Each participant is asked to evaluate their current life as a whole using a ladder image with the best possible life for them as a 10 and the worst possible as a zero. Happiness rankings are based on a three-year average of those “life evaluations.” In addition to that indicator, positive emotions (the average of yes/ no answers about laughter, enjoyment, and interest) and negative emotions (average of yes/no answers about worry, sadness, and anger) are taken into consideration. While half a dozen key variables (GDP per capita, social support, freedom, generosity, healthy life expectancy, and corruption) can contribute to explaining the life evaluation numbers, the rankings aren’t based on any specific index of those variables, but rather the individuals’ self-assessments of their lives.

So where should you live if you want the best chance of happiness? Well, the countries that scored highest in the WHR based on life evaluations included Finland, Denmark, Iceland, and Sweden. (The United States ranked 23rd.) For those under 30 years old, the 2021-2023 ranking of happiness (the three-year average) lists Lithuania at the top, followed by Israel, Serbia, and Iceland. (The U.S. ranked 62nd in the under-30 demographic.) At the other end of the age spectrum –based on responses from those at least 60 years old – the happiest countries are Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. (The U.S. ranked a respectable 10th in that age range.) At the bottom of all three charts – ranked 143rd – is Afghanistan.

You may be surprised to see Israel near the top of the list for those younger than 30. As explained in the WHR’s newest report (3/20/24), “In the case of cataclysmic events happening during a particular year, their effect on the rankings will depend on when the survey took place, and will be muted by the threeyear averaging. In the case of the October 7th attack on Israel and the subsequent war between Israel and Hamas, the survey in Palestine took place earlier in the year and the Israel survey after the hostage taking but before much of the subsequent warfare.” We can only hope a lasting peace and some chance at happiness can return to that region as soon as possible.

Bringing all of this back closer to home, if the WHR focused on only Woodstock residents, would we – on average – evaluate our current lives near the top of that Cantril ladder? I’m not sure, but when you look at the stories and photos in any issue of The Woodstock Independent, you’ll see many things to be happy about – like the opening of a new Food Co-op, plenty of outdoor summer activities, ongoing and new arts endeavors, achievements at our schools, and more. The “Happiness” song could easily have new lyrics that resonate with those lucky enough to live here.

The humor of Groucho Marx has always made me smile, but he could also be profound, as evidenced by this quote I’ll leave you with: “I, not events, have the power to make me happy or unhappy today. I can choose which it shall be. Yesterday is dead, tomorrow hasn’t arrived yet. I have just one day, today, and I’m going to be happy in it.” So am I.

Paul Lockwood is a Communications Consultant at Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC) in Chicago, an enthusiastic storyteller, singer, constant punster, occasional local theater actor, active Grace Lutheran Church and Toastmasters member, theater reviewer, and more. Paul has lived in Woodstock for over 23 years with his wife, Diane.

In his long career as a photojournalist and chronicler of Woodstock history, Don Peasley covered many VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) events. This photo is from the 2004 Memorial Day ceremony on the Woodstock Square, preceding the parade to Oakland Cemetery. Like Don, who was a veteran of World War II, most of these members of the Honor Guard were veterans of that war. While we know a few of the names, please help us identify as many people as possible, including the civilians in the background.

If you can identify anyone in the photo, please contact our intrepid Photo Detective, Maggie Crane, at MaggieC@ woodstockil.info . – Susan W. Murray

Happenings

PEDALPALOOZA

Family Health Partnership Clinic

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Across McHenry County

15

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

16

THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB

TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

17

FRIDAY

PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION FEATURING 3RD COAST BRASS

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

$30 A seats, $25 B seats

woodstockoperahouse.com

JAZZ NIGHT

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

8 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

18 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

Woodstock Square

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

woodstockfarmersmarket.org

Music: Aaron Kelly

$30 adults, $15 kids

https://www.pedalpalooza4fhpc. org/

WAX POETIC POETRY OPEN MIC

The Records Department

North Johnson St.

6:30 to 8 p.m.

MARTIN METZGER FLAMENCO ENSEMBLE

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

$20 woodstockoperahouse.com

STAGE LEFT SESSIONS FEATURING MICHAEL CHARLES

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

8 p.m.

$20 advance, $25 at the door

19 SUNDAY

PEDALPALOOZA

Family Health Partnership Clinic

10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Across McHenry County $30 adults, $15 kids

https://www.pedalpalooza4fhpc. org/

TOUCH-A-TRUCK

Farm and Fleet parking lot

11501 Hwy. 14

11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Non-perishable food donations sought for “Load the Loader”

OPEN MIC STORYTELLING

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

2 to 4 p.m.

Hosted by Jim May

21 TUESDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

Woodstock Square

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

woodstockfarmersmarket.org

Music: Pierce Crask

WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL

Council Chambers, City Hall

121 W. Calhoun St.

7 p.m.

woodstockil.gov

23 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

WOODSTOCK FIRE/RESCUE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

2900 Raffel Road

7 p.m.

24 FRIDAY

ORIGINAL OPEN MIC NIGHT

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m. offsquaremusic.org

‘BEAUTY AND THE BEAST’A MOVIE SING-ALONG Woodstock Opera House

To submit calendar items, email pr@thewoodstockindependent.com

121 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

$10 all seats woodstockoperahouse.com

25 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

Woodstock Square

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

woodstockfarmersmarket.org

Music: Owl Creek

THE NEVERLY BROTHERS: ELVIS TO THE BEATLES TRIBUTE

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

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

30 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

31 FRIDAY

CINEMA SIPS - ‘MONTY PYTHON AND THE HOLY GRAIL’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

8 p.m.

$10 - movie and 1 bag popcorn

$20 VIP - premium seating, table service and unlimited popcorn woodstockoperahouse.com

JUNE

Resurrection Catholic Church

1 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

Woodstock Square

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

woodstockfarmersmarket.org

Music: Nick Lec

OPERA HOUSE TOURS

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free woodstockoperahouse.com

ELTON DAN AND THE ROCKET BAND

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

$40 A seats, $35 B seats

woodstockoperahouse.com

CHILL MURRAY COMEDY SHOW

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

8 to 10 p.m.

$15 online, $20 at the door

2 SUNDAY

SUNDAY ART IN THE SQUARE

Woodstock Square 4 to 7 p.m.

4 TUESDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

Woodstock Square

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

woodstockfarmersmarket.org

Music: Owl Creek

FLASHBACKS

35 years ago – 1989

■ Jim Redding, chief executive officer at Memorial Hospital, said the hospital board was yet to make any decisions about the possibility of building a new hospital to replace the current hospital on South Street. “We’re just looking into some options,” he said.

■ The Alco store on Eastwood Drive announced it would be closing.

■ Greenwood Elementary School students Andrew Reinhard and R.J. Albright received the school’s Excellence Through Effort awards for the month of May.

30 years ago – 1994

■ Gabe Voss and Meredith Sather were named Woodstock High School prom king and queen.

■ Controversy arose over Woodstock School District 200’s issuance of bonds to purchase property on Raffel Road. Illinois State Board of Education Assistant Superintendent Gary Ey said the district did not have authority to issue the bonds, but the law firm of Chapman and Cutler issued an opinion saying the bonds were legal and binding.

■ After four years in the process, the Woodstock Plan Commission voted to recommend a revised comprehensive plan to the City Council.

25 years ago – 1999

■ More than 5,500 pounds of food and sundries were collected for the Woodstock Food Pantry during the annual local drive sponsored by the National Association of Letter Carriers.

■ Marian Central Catholic High School students, officials, and volunteers broke ground for a new 27.5-acre athletic complex across Route 120 from the high school campus. Included in the $1.75-million facility were baseball and softball diamonds, a soccer field, tennis courts, and several practice fields.

20 years ago – 2004

■ The City Council rejected Reserve One Homes’ request to change a prior annexation agreement regarding a site known as The Reserve of Woodstock between McConnell and Country Club roads.

15 years ago – 2009

■ The Woodstock Public Library’s new Judd Street parking lot was expected to open in a few weeks after curbs were poured and permeable pavers laid. Construction had begun in September. The storm-water system under the lot had been completed in November 2008.

■ The Woodstock Fire/Rescue District’s first cadet class graduated during a dinner at Deeter’s Restaurant. The eight cadets completed a year of training that included working every sixth day on a WFRD shift and completing emergency medical technician training at McHenry County College. The cadets were Tyler Webster, Josh Burno, Tyler Vidales, Collin Natrop, Shane Brown, Grant Powers, Kyle Sahs, and Zach Shannon.

■ United Way of McHenry County announced that the year’s pledges by residents, employees and businesses totaled $1,077, 688, topping its goal for the campaign and besting the previous year’s pledge total by nearly $145,000.

10 years ago – 2014

■ The WHS girls soccer team won the Fox Valley Conference Fox Division championship.

■ Woodstock hosted the Orson Welles

Todd Theatre 80th Anniversary Festival. Woodstock Celebrates, a nonprofit committed to promoting awareness of significant people, institutions, and events associated with the city of Woodstock, produced the two-day celebration.

■ Dr. Ellyn Wrzeski, who had been D-200 superintendent for 13 years, was looking forward to her end-of-June retirement. During her tenure, three schools were built – Woodstock North High School, Creekside Middle School, and Prairiewood Elementary School. Other district accomplishments while she was superintendent included establishing all-day kindergarten, opening Clay Academy, and launching the district’s dual-language and orchestra programs.

5 years ago – 2019

■ The Woodstock Chamber of Commerce & Industry announced formation of its new Ambassador Club. Fourteen community leaders, representing retail,

MAY 18, 1994 –

pull, pull – Dean Street Elementary School third graders pull for all they’re worth in a tug of war at the school’s annual field day at Emricson Park. From left to right are Rachel Beystehner, Katie McCullagh, Morgan Long, and Josh McGaw.

■ The annual Letter Carriers’ Food Drive took place in Woodstock. Residents put donations in bags and placed them by their mailboxes for mail carriers to pick up. The food that was collected was given to local food pantries. ■ The City Council unanimously approved a new two-year bike-share program. The program, which was part of a county network, placed bikes at the end of the Clay Street Commuter Lot and at the McHenry County Government Center for use by Zagster members, who were paying $25 a year/$15 for students. A member could use a bike for two hours at a time without additional cost.

1 year ago – 2023

■ Woodstock and Woodstock North high schools handed diplomas to more than 470 new graduates during commencement ceremonies. Nicholas Dickson was valedictorian at WNHS. No. 1 academically in the WHS Class of 2023 was Vince Andru Lorejo Perez.

■ Woodstock School District 200’s 43rd building trades home was on the market. WHS and WNHS students in the two-year building trades program built the 1,600-square-foot, three-bedroom, two-bath house with an attached garage.

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO BY DENNIS MATHES

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on APRIL 19, 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 NASH & RALEIGH located at 9 ROYAL OAK COURT LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL 60156. Owner Name & Address: IVY MOYER 9 ROYAL OAK COURT LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL 60156. Dated: APRIL 19, 2024 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk)

(Published in The Woodstock Independent May 1, 2024, May 8, 2024, May 15, 2024)L11782

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Self-Storage Sale

Please notice Red Dot Storage 6Woodstock located at 2105 S. Eastwood Dr, Woodstock, IL 60098 intends to hold an auction of the goods stored in the following units in default for non-payment of rent. The sale will be an online auction via www. storageTreasures.com on 5/22/2024 at 9:30 am. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents is household goods and furnishings. Denise Denman Unit #611. 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 May 1, 2024, May 8, 2024, May 15, 2024)L11784

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2024PR000124

In the Matter of the Estate of JOYCE B. SHOOK

Deceased

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of JOYCE B. SHOOK Of: WOODSTOCK, IL

Letters of office were issued on: 4/18/2024

To Representative: ROBIN R. GIBBS

245 McHenry Ave. Woodstock, IL 60098

529 STEWART AVE.

WOODSTOCK, IL 60098

whose attorney is:

MICHLING LAW FIRM

101 N. THROOP ST. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098

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

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent May 1, 2024, May 8, 2024, May. 5, 2024)L11785

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on APRIL 23, 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 FRITZ’S CATERING located at 3535 N. RICHMOND RD. JOHNSBURG, IL 60051. Owner Name & Address: WAYNE FRITZ AND ANGIE FRITZ 3535 N. RICHMOND RD. JOHNSBURG, IL 60051.

Dated: APRIL 23, 2024

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent May 1, 2024, May 8, 2024, May 15, 2024)L11788

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2024PR000119

In the Matter of the Estate of GLORIA J. HAEGER

Deceased

CLAIM NOTICE

PUBLIC NOTICES

Notice is given of the death of GLORIA J. HAEGER

Of: LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL

Letters of office were issued on: 4/29/2024

To Representative:

SUSAN E. CHAPMAN

2122 PRESWICK LN. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098

whose attorney is: MICHLING LAW FIRM

101 N. THROOP ST. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098

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

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent May 8, 2024, May 15, 2024) L11789

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on MAY 2, 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 DataViewz located at 1345 S. Shore Dr. Village of Lakewood, IL 60014. Owner Name & Address: Derek Rauchenberger 13445 S. Shore Dr. Village of Lakewood, IL 60014.

Dated: MAY 2, 2024

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent May 8, 2024, May 15, 2024) L11790

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on APRIL 30, 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 STONEY LAKE LANDSCAPING located at 21011 ROUTE 14 HARVARD, IL 60033. Owner Name & Address: LUZ SANTIAGO 21011 ROUTE 14 HARVARD, IL 60033.

Dated: APRIL 30, 2024

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent May 15, 2024)L11792

PUBLIC NOTICE

For

Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) New Pretreatment Program City of Woodstock North and South Wastewater Treatment Facilities

Public Noticed on behalf of: United States Environmental Protection Agency

Region 5, Water Division, WP-16J Permits Branch 77 West Jackson Boulevard Chicago, Illinois 60604 (312)886-6089

Name and Address of POTW: CITY OF WOODSTOCK NORTH WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY 1955 Tappan St Woodstock, IL 60098 CITY OF WOODSTOCK SOUTH WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY 800 Dieckman Rd Woodstock, IL 60098

POTW Pretreatment Program The CITY OF WOODSTOCK NORTH AND SOUTH WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES has requested approval of a new Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP). The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 5 has proposed to approve the pretreatment program. The proposed determination is tentative.

Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed new program. Copies of the relevant POTW documents are available for inspection and copying at EPA Region 5, and by contacting the City of Woodstock at 815-338-6118 to make an appointment to view the documents at THE CITY OF WOODSTOCK PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT at 326 WASHINGTON ST, where the public can come and make copies.

The documents are also available at the City of Woodstock Public Works website at https://woodstockil.gov/1026/ Industrial-Pretreatment-Program-IPP or via e-mail by contacting pwdept@ woodstockil.gov.

Comments should be submitted in person or mailed no later than 30 days from the date of this Public Notice. Deliver or mail all requests or comments to EPA Region 5 at the address listed in this Public Notice (Attention: Matthew Gluckman) or to the City of Woodstock Public Works Department pwdept@ woodstockil.gov (Attention: Michael Rousey).

Any person may request a public hearing within 30 days of the date of the Public Notice by submitting a written request to EPA Region 5. The request shall indicate the interest of the person filing such request and the reasons why a hearing is warranted. A public hearing will be held if there is a significant degree of public interest in the proposed program. Public notice of such a hearing will be circulated in the newspaper and to the parties requesting the hearing. If no comments to this notice are received, the proposed IPP will be approved as set forth herein without changes and without further public notice. In such event, this notice shall constitute the notice of approval or disapproval required by 403.11(e) and no additional notice shall be provided; the approved program will be incorporated in the POTW’s NPDES permit by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Anyone who wishes to be sent a notice of the approval of the program should send a request for such notice to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.

Any additional questions or comments can be sent to the City of Woodstock Utilities Manager Mike Rousey at 815338-6118 or pwdept@woodstockil.gov.

(Published in The Woodstock Independent May 15, 2024)L11793

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on MAY 8, 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 SK LEATHER located at 24317 ANTHONY RD. MARENGO, IL 60152. Owner Name & Address: STEVE KOELM AND JESSICA KOELM 24317 ANTHONY RD. MARENGO, IL 60152.

Dated: MAY 8, 2024

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent May 15, 2024)L11794

Broker

By Leigh Rubin HEATHCLIFF

Peter Gallagher

Sports

COLLEGE REPORT

Former Lady ’Cane Reagan Kelly runs with Butler elite

Reagan Kelly, a Marian Central Catholic graduate and Woodstock resident, is helping Butler University strive to become elite. The senior is wrapping up her career and in the recent Big East Conference meet, which was held at Jumbo Elliott Track on the campus of Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania, she scored points as part of two different relays.

Kelly helped the 400-meter relay team take fifth. The senior ran the third leg of the Lady Bulldog relay, which finished in 46.99 seconds. In the final event of the day, the 1,600-meter relay, the senior teamed with three Bulldog freshmen to run a 3:50.44.

Individually, Kelly finished 16th in the 400-meter dash, crossing the finish line in :58.93.

As a team, the Lady Bulldogs finish eighth with 33 points.

Ryan Jones (Marian Central Catholic) finished 15th in the 3,000-meter steeplechase at the LaVerne Distance Carnival, which was held at the University of LaVerne in LaVerne, California. The University of Illinois-Springfield distance runner finished the race in 9:17.26. He also took 22nd in the 1,500-meter run at the Gibson Invitational, which was hosted by Indiana State University and held at the Gibson Track and Field Complex in Terre Haute, Indiana. He finished in 4:00.53.

Dan Chamness writes The College Report for The Independent.

WHS tennis, back-to-back KRC champs

Woodstock High School tennis tops the Kishwaukee River Conference

By Juel Mecklenburg NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Proving that lightning does strike twice in some cases, the Woodstock High School boys tennis team won their second consecutive Kishwaukee River Conference Championship title May 10.

Many scorers contributed to the Streaks victory. Marc Cheng placedsecond in No. 1 singles, and Liam Hanson and Devon Oliveira were second in No. 1 doubles.

All-Conference athletes included Brett Neuhart, No. 2 singles, and Cooper Pajich and Stewart Reuter, No. 2 doubles

Ben Vanderbilt placed second in No. 3 singles. The No. 3 doubles team of Jacob Roeder and Daniel Bychowski, and No. 4 doubles, Daniel Peralta and

Brett Walsh, all placed first in their matches.

The team met head coach Jake Porter’s expectations from the beginning of the season. The Streaks are now looking to stay sharp and ready for the

competition ahead and the postseason push.

The Blue Streaks will travel to Belvidere North High School for the IHSA sectional meet this week, Friday and Saturday, May 17 and 18.

Dan Chamness The College Report

COURTESY PHOTO

The sun sets on the Woodstock High School tennis team May 10 following their KRC championship win. Pictured (from left) are Danny Peralta, head coach Jake Porter, Stewart Reuter, Cooper Pajich, Brett Walsh, Jacob Roeder, Liam Hanson, Brett Neuhart, Daniel Bychowski, Devon Oliveira, Marc Cheng, Ben Vanderville, and assistant coach John Oliveira.

WHS junior Marc Cheng placed second in No. 1 singles in the KRC championship meet.

TWI FILE PHOTO

Woodstock High School sophomore Angelo Pacini served as a major catalyst for the Blue Streak offense this week, posting a .556 batting average, a .636 on- base percentage, and a 1.333 OPS (on- base plus slugging).

Angelo challenged opponents at the plate all week long with six quality at bats and a 77 percent contact rate.

As a WHS freshman, Tipper Axelson has been a versatile player making consistent contributions to the Blue Streak softball team.

She added three home runs to the board this weekend and pitched a complete 7-inning win over Crystal Lake South.

Angelo Pacini • Baseball

Athlete of the Week!

Tipper Axelson • Softball

State-bound track and field girls

By Sandy Kucharski SANDY@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Both Woodstock and Woodstock North will be represented at the IHSA Class 2A Girls State Final Meet May 16 to 18 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston.

State bids were determined by placings May 8 at the Mundelein Sectional.

Woodstock

The Kishwaukee River Conference Championship Blue Streaks finished second as a team at the sectionals with three sectionals champions: 4x400 relay team, Amina Idris (300m hurdles), and Hallie Steponaitis (high jump).

The following individuals qualifying to go on to the state meet later this week:

-Mia Foss, Amina Idris, Sophia Mendoza and Sophie Sarabia in the 4x400 relay (4:11:37)

-Amina Idris - 300m hurdles (46.16)

-Hallie Steponaitis - high jump (1.59m)

-Sophia Mendoza - 400m (1:10.51) and long jump (5.10m)

- Anna Crenshaw - discus (30.38m) and shot put (10.84m)

BASEBALL

■ May 2 - Marian (7-18) defeated Johnsburg (6-21) 6-2.

■ May 6 - Marian (8-18) defeated Johnsburg (6-22) 3-2.

■ May 7 - Woodstock (8-14) defeated Johnsburg (6-23) 1-0.

■ May 7 - Woodstock North (7-16-1) fell to Badger (16-2) 2-1.

■ May 9 - Woodstock (8-15) fell to Grayslake Central (19-8) 8-1.

■ May 10 - Woodstock North (7-17-1) fell to Badger (17-2) 7-5.

Woodstock North

Three Thunder athletes had two sectional champions and two recordbreaking performances at sectionals

Ashley Janeczko was a sectional champion in both shot put and discus, and she broke her own WNHS record in shot put. Lauren Bieszczad was second and qualified for state in high jump, and she broke her Thunder 400m record (1:03.11) even though she did not qualify for state in that event.

State reps for the Thunder will be:

-Ashley Janeczko - shot put (11.36m) and discus (33.50)

-Lauren Bieszczad - high jump (1.59m)

-Bella Borta - 100m hurdles (16.85)

Marian Central Catholic

Marian competed in the IHSA Class 1A Oregon section May 10. Two athletes qualified to go to state:

- Kaitlyn Remke - 300m hurdles (49.76)

- Amelia Reiche -long jump (5.11m)

Marian will compete in the IHSA Class 1A Girls State Finals Meet May 16.

KRC boys conference meet results

By Sandy Kucharski NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Mathematically, the defending Kishwaukee River Conference champion Woodstock boys track and field team wasn’t supposed to win the KRC this year. The stats – based on seed times – had them placing about 58 points behind powerhouse Richmond-Burton, but the Blue Streak boys came within four points of the title. They came up second, but the team put in a championship effort.

“We didn’t win this year, but this meet sure was exciting,” said head coach Lisa Kunzie. “The boys were locked in and had some incredible individual and relay perormances.”

The Streaks took down four previous meet records, shattered PRs, and saw 11 athletes earn All-Conference.

“We’re looking forward to getting after it again at sectionals,” said Kunzie. WHS KRC Champions:

- Ishan Patel - 800m, 1:58.52

- Ellery Shutt - 1600m, 4:35.75

-Jakob Crown - 3200m, 10:27.60

-4x4 Relay Team: (Cohen Shutt, Sam Tafoya, Aryan Patel, Ishan Patel) 3:27.52

-4x8 relay: (Ellery Shutt, Aryan Patel, Milo McLeer, Cohen Shutt) 8:41.59

NN SCOREBOARD NN

■ May 10 - Marian (8-19) fell to St. Edward (10-19) 11-7.

■ May 11 - Marian (8-20) fell to Timothy Christian (13-11) 9-4.

SOFTBALL

■ May 6 - Woodstock North (17-8) defeated Sandwich (12-9) 6-3.

■ May 6 - Marian (11-10) defeated Woodlands Academy (5-6) 10-0.

■ May 8 - Marian (12-10) defeated Chicago Hope Academy (7-16) 6-1.

■ May 10 - Woodstock (1-19-1) fell to Marengo (23-6) 12-1.

■ May 11 - Woodstock (1-20-1) fell to Johnsburg (13-14) 11-1.

GIRLS SOCCER

■ May 6 - Woodstock North (8-12) fell to Lakes (12-4-1) 8-0.

■ May 7 - Marian (9-3-1) defeated Schaumburg Christian (1-10) 9-0.

■ May 9 - Woodstock North (8-13) fell to Buffalo Grove (7-8-1) 2-0.

LACROSSE

■ May 8 - Marian (2-10) fell to Boylan Catholic (2-1) in double overtime 7-6.

■ May 11 - Marian (2-11) fell to Crystal

-Tyler Moon - shot put, 14.56m 2nd Place:

-Aryan Patel, 800m, 1:59.82

-Milo McLeer, 1600m, 4:36.85

-Charlie Baker, 3200m, 10:30.29

-Charlie Gilmore - high jump, 1.80m

-Nolan Van Hoorn - long jump, 6.12

New Conference Records:

-Ishan Patel - 800m, 1:58.52 (previously set in 2017 at 1:58.62)

-Ellery Shutt - 1600m, 4:35.75 (previously set in 2017 at 4:36.06)

-4x4 relay (Cohen Shutt, Sam Tafoya, Aryan Patel, and Ishan Patel) 3:27.52 (previously set in 2018 at 3:29.34)

-Tyler Moon - shot put, 14.56m (previously set in 2018 at 13.82)

Woodstock North

Woodstock North boys finished in fourth with one conference champion. Senior Landan Creighton won the pole vault, breaking his own school record with a vault of 41.15m. His brother, sophomore Braelan Creighton finished second (3.66m)

Additional top placings included: John Suay - second in discus (41.08m)

Landan Creighton - second triple jump (12.55m)

Lake South (4-14) 11-2.

BOYS TENNIS

■ May 10 – Woodstock won the KRC conference meet.

■ May 10 – Woodstock North placed second in the KRC meet.

BOYS TRACK AND FIELD

■ May 6 - Marian senior Nathan Sarfo got a PR and finished second in the 100m dash (12.05 sec) in the Marian Central Invite. Marian senior Andrew Dovidio finished second in the triple jump (11.58m).

■ May 7 - Woodstock finished second at the Kishwaukee River Boys Conference Championships Meet, scoring 143 points. See details in story above.

■ May 7 - Woodstock North finished fourth at the Kishwaukee River Boys Conference Championships scoring 57 points.

■ May 8 - Marian finished sixth at the Inaugural Chicagoland Christian Boys Conference Championships, scoring 27 points. Abel Arce, Nathan Sarfo, Wilson Jakubowicz, Luke Aragona got a PR

and finished third in the 4X100m (46.67 sec).

GIRLS TRACK AND FIELD

■ May 6 - Marian senior Amelia Reiche won the 100m dash (13.38 sec) in the Marian Central Invite. Marian sophomore Keira Conlon finished second in the discus (22.88m).

■ May 8 - Woodstock finished second at the IHSA Class 2A TRG Sectional scoring 86 points. See details in story above.

■ May 8 - Woodstock North finished sixth at the IHSA Class 2A TRG Sectional, scoring 59 points. Senior Bella Borta finished second in the 100m hurdles (16.85 sec). See details in story above.

■ May 10 - Marian finished seventh at the IHSA Class 1A TRG Sectional, scoring 35.25 points. Junior Kaitlyn Remke got a PR and finished second in the 300m hurdles (49.76 sec). Senior Amelia Reiche finished second in the long jump (5.11m).