Woodstock Independent 6/12/24

The Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT

MARIAN SENIOR CLASS

Check out the Marian Central Catholicl High School seniors PAGE 13

City bids farewell to Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson

12

City settles with Public House

By Eileen Millard and Susan W. Murray NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

The Public House was a fixture in Woodstock for more than 20 years, first at 201 Main Street under the present Berkshire Hathaway Starck Realty office and then on the ground floor of

the Old Courthouse. The restaurant, which the city had described as being critical to the success of the $23 million Old Courthouse Center restoration, closed its doors in March of this year.

Kathryn Loprino, the restaurant’s former owner, had been working with

the city to find a restaurant to take over her lease but had been unsuccessful. When the restaurant fell behind in rent and utility payments earlier this year, the city called in loans that had been given to the restaurant that were contingent upon the

The Woodstock Independent 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098

Phone: 815-338-8040

Fax: 815-338-8177

Thewoodstock independent.com

‘To be part of something bigger’

from Woodstock’s Company D deployed overseas for about 400 days

By Tricia Carzoli NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

On June 3, approximately 50 members of Company D, 1st Battalion 178th Infantry Regiment were part of a sending-off ceremony held at Elgin Community College.

The soldiers are set to deploy along with approximately 500 other soldiers from units based in Chicago,

Bartonville, Marseilles, Elgin, and Kankakee. The battalion will have headquarters in Jordan and personnel at 13 locations in six countries and be stationed overseas for approximately one year according to the Illinois Army National Guard Public Affairs Office. See

, Page 4

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Company D, 1st Battalion, 178th Infantry members attend the Illinois Army National Guard deployment ceremony at Elgin Community College June 3. Army Specialist Nathan Speciale, third from right, listens to speakers.

OBITUARIES

Jennie E. Williams Swanson

Dincecco, 91

Jennie E. Williams Swanson Dincecco, age 91, passed away on June 1, 2024.

Jennie E. Williams Swanson Dincecco

Jennie was born on August 5, 1932, in Atlanta, Georgia, to Chester Arthur and Cleo Annie (McEachern) Williams. Jennie attended Sullivan High School and graduated from Northwestern University (1954). Jennie continued her education at NIU where she received her master’s (1972) and doctorate (1976) degrees.

Richard E. Swanson first saw Jennie when she was tossing a baton at a college football game. They later married (1954), and eventually built their home in Barrington, IL, where they raised their three children (Laurie, Jeff and Scott). Jennie was an educator: a co-owner and teacher at Countryside Nursery School, an elementary teacher (Skokie, Schaumburg & Barrington), an administrator (Schaumburg & Barrington), a university instructor (Barat College & NIU) and a researcher (Loyola University Hospital). Jennie and Richard (“Dick”) were married for 40 years, until his death in 1994.

After Dick’s death, Jennie continued to care for her mother who had Alzheimer’s disease, which led her to write the book, “Dying With Open Eyes.” During this time, she built a home in Woodstock, IL and started attending the Tree of Life UU Church. It is there that she met Thomas Dincecco. They were married in 2000 for 15 years until Tom’s death. Jennie always said she was lucky to find two soulmates and that losing a soulmate was a major catastrophe. She lost both.

Jennie also lost her son Jeffrey Richard in a plane crash in 2007. She never got over it

Jennie’s pride and joy was her loving family. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husbands, her son, and her brother, Chester Arthur Williams, Jr. Jennie is survived by her children: Laurie (Bruce) Kiesewetter and Scott (Suzanne) Swanson; her grandchildren: Ryan (YanYan Sun) Kiesewetter, Blake (Whitney) Swanson, Jamie Kiesewetter, Kristin (Keith) Kaschub, Kelsey Swanson and Mollie Kiesewetter; her great grandchildren: Kaiden Kiesewetter, Riley Swanson Hallberg, Keitin Kaschub, Ruth Swanson, Kinzlee Kaschub, Karsyn Kaschub and Axel Swanson, and her niece: Dawn Williams.

A celebration of life service will be held at the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation, 5603 Bull Valley Rd., McHenry, IL 60050 on Saturday, June 29th. Visitation with the family will be from 10 – 11am, and the service will begin at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent as a memorial in Jennie’s name to Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation.

Christine M. Laux, 67

and many cousins and dear friends.

Christine and Barbara want to thank Tree of Life UUC, Hearthstone, Northwestern Hospital Huntley, Carelink Home Health, and Link Home Care. In lieu of flowers, please donate to an animal rescue organization- Helping Paws, Young at Heart, Assisi Animal Foundation, or PETA.

A celebration of Christine’s life will be held at a date to be announced at a later date.

Donald George Urban, 84

Donald George Urban, 84, of Denver, NC, passed away on May 14, 2024. He was born on February 24, 1940, in Teaneck, NJ, to the late Ernest and Dorothy Urban. Don graduated from Teaneck High School in 1958 and attended classes at Pace University in Westchester, NY, in 1968.

Don proudly served in the United States Army National Guard at Fort Dix during a 12–18month service.

and Kenosha, WI. In that time, he visited six other clubs. He earned his Grass Roots Bronze Award in 2012 and Silver in 2019. In tournament play, Don qualified for points in 165 events from 2006-2019, winning 11 of them and finishing second in 9 others. He earned his Master Award in 2012 and Grand Master Award in 2015. He was just 49 points shy of his Life Master Award.

Don moved to many places throughout his lifetime including Closter, NJ, from 1967 to 2020, Marengo, IL, from 2006 to 2020, and eventually settling in Denver, NC from 2020-2024 to be closer to his family. When moving to Denver, NC, he discovered that there was no active cribbage club, so he worked hard and founded Tar Heel 443 Cribbage Club in Denver and won the championship three years ago. In his honor, the Denver, NC, club has been renamed to Don Urban’s Tar Heel 443 Cribbage Club.

Christine M. Laux passed on May 18, 2024. Christine was born to Norman and Louise Hall on April 24, 1957. Christine met Dan Laux through the McHenry County Computer Dating Service. On July 14, 1984, Christine and Daniel were married at the Mast House. The minister was a Unitarian Universalist and they maintained membership with this denomination. First, at Woodstock Congregational Unitarian Church, and then, at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Elgin. Finally, at the Tree of Life Unitarian Universalist Congregation in McHenry.

Christine and Dan loved to travel together. Their favorite places were England, Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, the Pacific Ocean, Lake Superior, and Boulder River in Montana. Christine and Dan enjoyed planning and traveling together for many years.

Surviving Christine are her sister, Barbara Kelly, Barbara’s husband, Terrell,

Don worked hard throughout his life. In his youth he worked at the US Postal Service as a mail carrier. He then went onto working as a computer programmer at Berlex Laboratories Inc, and eventually retired from Bank of America as a computer programmer.

Don married the love of his life, Marie (Locovare) Urban, on September 11, 1965. They have two children, Elizabeth and Scott.

Don loved camping with his family in the Berkshires in Massachusetts. As a young man, he had his pilot license and would fly up to Massachusetts to visit his family. He enjoyed bowling and was secretary of his bowling league. He was a fan of Country and BlueGrass Music and could play the piano by ear, He was an amateur astronomer and often organized star parties in Massachusetts for the members of the Rockland Astronomy Club of Rockland County, NY. After moving to IL, Don became an avid cribbage player, both in local grass root clubs and at weekend tournaments. He would often travel to Reno, NV, to participate in tournaments.

Don was a member of Cribbage Club 213 in Crystal Lake, IL from 2006 to 2018, winning the championship four times. He was also a member of clubs in Elgin, IL,

Left to cherish Don’s memory is his loving wife of 58 years, Marie; children Elizabeth (Anthony) Montanaro of Woodstock, IL, and Scott (Melinda) Urban of Denver, NC; grandchildren Frank Montanaro, Mitchell Montanaro, and Jessica Bennett; and brothers Richard, Kenneth, and Steven Urban.

A Funeral Mass was held on Saturday June 8, 2024, at 11:00AM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Denver, NC. The family received friends prior to the mass beginning at 10:00AM. Inurnment will take place at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Lincolnton, NC. In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory may be made to the service dog training organization 4 Paws for Ability; 207 Dayton Ave Xenia, OH 45383 or through their donation link: Donation to 4 Paws for Ability.

Where to send obituaries

n You may email obituary information to pr@thewoodstockindependent. com, or mail or drop it off at our office, 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098.

n There is a charge for standard obituaries and photos.

n Obituaries are posted at thewoodstockindependent.com when they are received and then published in the next print edition of The Independent.

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

Christine M. Laux

Donald George Urban

SETTLEMENT

restaurant being operational.

At the June 4 City Council meeting, the council voted 6 - 1 to accept a settlement from the restaurant that will ultimately be worth $261,000.

Breaking down the numbers

City support for the Public House fell into two categories: repayable business loans; and compensation for the time the restaurant had to shut down during the Old Courthouse renovation that did not have to be repaid.

In June 2022, the restaurant was given a business interruption loan of $389,200, comprised of $350,000 for the loan itself and $39,200 in forgiveness of past rent.

Factoring in payments made to date and consideration for the number of months the Public House was in business after it reopened, the total amount due in June 2024 was about $350,000, according to Woodstock City Manager Roscoe Stelford. That amount would have been forgiven if the Public House had remained open for five years.

The city had also given the restaurant $283,500 to compensate for lost revenue during the reconstruction shutdown. That sum did not need to be repaid and was not dependent on the restaurant staying open for any length of time.

Cash value of the settlement

The first part of the settlement was a $75,000 payment from the Public House owners, to be paid to the city with interest over a 13-and-a-half-year period, bringing the total paid up to $100,000.

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

Woodstock Police Department

■ Ashley J. Hamm, 28, Woodstock, was arrested May 23 at North Madison and Church streets on charges of driving with license suspended and disobeying a stop sign. Released on notice to appear. Court date June 6.

■ Jasmine M. Caldwell, 33, Woodstock, was arrested May 22 at Lake Ave. on charges of retail theft. Released on notice to appear. Court date May 30.

■ Kathy Jurczak, 61, Buffalo Grove, was arrested May 23 at the 400 block of South Eastwood Drive on charges of driving under the influence, operating

The Public House outdoor seating area, usually filled with diners enjoying summer weather on the Square, will sit idle until a new restaurant is found for the space.

The second part was the signing over of all contents of the restaurant, such as indoor furnishings and equipment, and the outdoor seating and fireplace, valued at $161,000. The $261,000 settlement only partially reimburses the city for funds provided to the restaurant during the restaurant’s closure.

Logistic value of the settlement

Stelford said that the settlement removed several impediments to getting a new restaurant into the space quickly, including the possibility of extended legal entanglements that could have gone on for 12-18 months and could potentially have cost the city $40,000 to $50,000 in legal fees.

Before the settlement, Loprino had control of getting and vetting candidates, showing the space, and final approval of who would take over their lease. The city can now control all of those aspects, Stelford said.

“My goal, (and the goal) of the council, is to recover what we can in the interest of the city, with minimal

uninsured motor vehicle and illegal transport of alcohol. Released on notice to appear. Court date June 6.

■ Luis Barrack Hermenegildo, 18, Harvard, was arrested May 23 at the 300 block of South Eastwood Drive on charges of driving under the influence/ DUI over and leaving the scene of an accident. Released on notice to appear. Court date June 6.

■ Andrew J. Kelsey, 43, Belvedere, was arrested May 24 at Doty Road on charges of battery. Cited and released on notice to appear. Court date July 11.

■ Anthony Hamby, 20, Crystal Lake,

impact to time and attorney cost and process,” Woodstock Mayor Mike Turner said before the vote. “The settlement provides a clean break and an opportunity for us to focus solely on moving forward, getting somebody in there … to drive economic activity in downtown.”

Council weighs in

“I will be voting no for the simple reason that I am trying to look at this, if this were my own money, how would I handle it,” said Council Member Bob Seegers Jr., citing a total of $633,500 for the loan and the closure compensation. “And I believe that I’d be willing to risk another $100,000 of the taxpayers’ money to try to recover a greater amount than what we’re getting in this settlement agreement.”

Council Member Tom Nierman estimated that the city was getting back roughly 50 cents on the dollar. “Is it ideal? No,” he said. “But is it the best situation for moving forward and looking down the road, not looking back? Yes. So that is what I’m in favor

was arrested May 25 at Route14 on charges of driving while license suspended and speeding. Released on notice to appear. Court date June 20.

■ Estela Gonzalez Lopez, 51, Indianapolis, Ind., was arrested May 26 on charges of no valid driver’s license, speeding and operating uninsured motor vehicle. Released on notice to appear. Court date June 20.

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

Council Member Natalie Ziemba said, “I am putting a dollar value on every single day the Public House is closed and that there is not a functioning restaurant in that space. I’m interested in going forward, in the best interest … of our business community. Getting something in there, where we have the control to do so, that’s why I am in support of what’s coming before us tonight”

“The city and this process has not been perfect by any stretch,” Turner added. “Without question, the owners, the operators of the Public House, bear culpability and responsibility for the failure as well.”

Current interest in the space

According to Stelford, the city has two letters of intent from restaurants interested in the space so far, with a third letter expected soon.

Stelford added that the city is in the process of contracting with Patrick West from Century 21, as he had formerly worked with Loprino in bringing in prospects and was familiar with the property.

“Showings have been temporarily suspended as we complete execution of the settlement agreement,” Stelford said. After that, city staff will work with West to ensure all applicants are thoroughly vetted before presenting them to the city council. Stelford said a list may be brought before the council as early as the July 16 meeting, or sooner in a special session if needed.

The next chapter

After the settlement vote, Turner concluded, “I am hopeful and optimistic that this is a new chapter for the space.”

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

EMS calls for May 31-June 6: 76

Fire runs

Structure fire: 2

Mobile property (vehicle) fire: 1

Excessive heat, scorch burns with no ignition: 1

Combustible/fire spills & leaks: 1

Public service assistance: 11

Cover assignment/Stand by at fire station: 1

Dispatched and canceled en route: 2

Steam, other gas mistaken for smoke: 1

System or detector malfunction: 4

Unintentional system/detector (no fire): 7

Total: 107

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

DEPLOYMENT

The approximately 50 soldiers attached to Company B out of Elgin include Private First Class Nathan Speciale of Woodstock and Specialist Jose Herrera of Harvard.

Speciale and Herrera will be stationed in the Middle East as part of a regular rotation of U.S. Army units to the Central Command Area of Responsibility. The mission is unrelated to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, according to the Public Affairs Office.

Both Speciale and Herrera were surrounded by family at the deployment ceremony.

First in the family

“We are proud, but worried,” Herrera’s brother Miguel said, speaking for the family. “We are excited about where this [career] takes him and possibilities ahead of him.”

Herrera, the first in his family to serve in the military, graduated from Harvard High School in 2022 and joined the Illinois Army National Guard three years ago to “be part of something bigger.”

He played soccer at Harvard High School and for three years served as a role model for younger athletes as a Harvard Junior Hornets coach.

Herrera, who works at American Ad Bag in Woodstock, said he looked forward to serving his country during this deployment and plans to pursue a career in law enforcement.

He enlisted three years ago and was supported last week by his mom, Nereida Mercado, his father, Dionicio Herrera, his grandparents Miguel and Maria Herrera, and his brother Miguel Herrera. His younger brother Christopher was unable to attend.

“I’m excited and mostly ready,” Herrera said. “But I’m sad to leave my family.”

His mother was overcome with emotion, but said she was “proud” of her son and couldn’t wait for his return. Herrera said he was thankful for the support his family has provided.

“I’m proud to serve, proud to help the country,” he explained. “I’m thankful to have my family by my side and to know that they will be there for me while I’m gone.

Jacqueline, Sam, PFC

Nathan Speciale, Sal, Kateyl, and grandmother Mary Ann pose for a photo at the Deployment ceremony held at Elgin Community College.

WNHS 2022 grad

Speciale enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard a year and a half ago.

The 2022 Woodstock North High School graduate said he joined the Guard to “better myself and to make a positive impact on the world.”

Speciale has always had a heart for service, his mother, Jacqueline said.

“I’ve been involved in Rotary and I have volunteered with the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the American Red Cross [Disaster Services],” Speciale said. “I also work at MAC Automation as an accounting clerk.”

He is currently a student at Illinois State University as a psychology major.

When he is deployed, he hopes to do online coursework until he returns.

“I’m looking forward to coming home to spend time with my family and continue my education,” Speciale said, looking toward the future. “But, for now, I’m looking forward to serving my country

and making a difference.”

While Speciale is stationed overseas, his family will anxiously await his return.

Speciale’s father, Salvatore, said, “It is emotional. There are so many things, but it is emotional.”

“I concur,” Jacqueline said. “It is hard, but we are proud and worried and … emotional.”

The soldiers from Woodstock’s Company D will be deployed for approximately 400 days.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Nereida Mercado is given contact information for her son, specialist Jose Herrera, right.

Illinois Army National Guard Specialist Patrick Bosowski of D Company, based in Woodstock, spends time with his wife, Olivia, at the deployment ceremony June 3 at Elgin Community College.

INDEPENDENT

Woodstock, IL • 1987 THE

Rebecca McDaniel

Larry Lough

Sandy Kucharski

Ken Farver

The elephant in the room

During the public comment section at the June 4 City Council meeting, a resident suggested restricting parking to one side of the street on the Square during parades. This would give parade vehicles more room to maneuver and would also be safer for children, who often run out from between parked cars chasing candy tossed from floats. This led to a discussion of parking in and around the Square and the scarcity of spaces.

Offering a free shuttle service at major events, going to and from a distant lot, like the Woodstock High School parking lot, was mentioned. After the meeting, City Manager Roscoe Stelford said that there used to be occasional shuttle buses for some larger events. The practice had fallen off, possibly because so many last-minute factors can drastically affect event attendance.

But perhaps it’s time for a second look at shuttle buses as well as other solutions. Huge events like Groundhog Day, the Lighting of the Square, and this weekend’s PrideFest routinely bring thousands to the Park in the Square. And even on a weekend with no special events, a combination of good weather, hot new movies playing at the Classic Cinemas Theater and a performance going on at the Opera House usually leaves people circling Square in search of the elusive open spot.

And now that we have a larger event venue available in the Old Courthouse Center, private parties might benefit from an option to set up a paid shuttle service or valet service, either coordinated through the city or an outside agency. It would be a great idea for wedding parties, where guests in wedding finery won’t want to hike a few blocks in bad weather to get to their event.

Parking will become more of a challenge as the city works to bring new retail, entertainment, and

Remember the Masthouse on the passing of Don Mast

Longtime Woodstock resident Don Mast died recently. During his lifetime, Don and his wife, Eunice, gave a magnificent gift to hundreds and hundreds of Woodstock, McHenry County, and

Parade-goers stand in the street during the Pride Parade June 9. A similar situation on Memorial Day sparked a discussion at the City Council meeting regarding downtown parking options.

residential development near the Square.

Large cities have online apps like Spot Hero to aid people looking for empty spaces at parking meters. While we don’t have meters, we could look into a city-hosted online app that would guide visitors and residents to all the city parking lots. Real-time updates on event weekends could also show things like privately owned commercial parking lots that have given permission for overflow parking use. Shuttle service locations and pickup times could be posted. Streets surrounding the downtown could be highlighted

Chicagoland residents: they hosted singalongs and open mics on the first Saturday of every month for 30 years between September 6, 1980 and September 4, 2010, in their 34-foot music performance room at their home on Calhoun Street in Woodstock.

The Masthouse music room was a site to behold and was built in large part

and color-coded to show where street parking is available and for what amounts of time.

The idea of a parking garage comes up regularly, but the reply is usually that they are insanely expensive and would take years to pay off, especially if the parking would be free to attract visitors.

In any event, it would be good to talk about the elephant in the room sooner than later, instead of waiting for it to be enough of an annoyance that it starts to discourage visitors from coming to Woodstock.

using donated and recycled building materials. The room had a cathedral ceiling, stage, balcony loft, fireplace, and seating for 150 to 200 people. Its support beams were decorated with bright white lights, and its stage had a backdrop adorned with a wide assortment of guitars, one of which was a homemade gut bucket guitar. Animal

puppets that Eunice used for her Masthouse Sunday afternoon children music shows were also part of the stage backdrop.

The exposed beams under the balcony loft that encircled the music room bore the signatures of performers and audience members who came to Masthouse First Saturdays. Celebrated folk

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY EILEEN MILLARD

TWI, Elaine, Ken, fireworks

There’s a different dilemma when writing Declarations once a month compared with once a week. My challenge with writing weekly was coming up with something interesting and worthy of your time every week. My challenges with writing monthly is prioritizing topics or, as is the case this week, cramming a month’s worth of what I want to share with you into one column. Stay with me, here we go!

TWI –The Woodstock Independent. Congratulations to new owner/ publisher Rebecca McDaniel; editor Larry Lough; associate editor Sandy Kucharski; writers – Susan Murray, Tricia Carzoli, Eileen Millard, and Lisa Kunzie; photographers – Ken Farver, Vicky Long, and Tricia; and columnists – Megan Ivers and Paul Lockwood – on being awarded the sweepstakes trophy, taking first in general excellence, and bringing home 14 first-place awards in the Illinois Press Association’s Best of the Press. The awards were announced Thursday. What these talented staffers do is for each of you, but knowing how their work measures up with the work of their peers is affirming.

Elaine – Elaine Goldstead

Elaine Goldstead was featured in the Sept. 26, 2023, Independent – “Active Woodstock artist to turn 95.” Shortly after the article was published, Elaine moved from her beloved Woodstock to be near her daughter, Cathy Coleman, who lives in Indiana. The staff and I were shocked and saddened to

learn about a month ago that Elaine had died Jan. 29, 2024, in a nursing home in Beecher.

artists Pete Seeger, Taj Majal, the Kingston Trio, Tom Chapin, John McEuen, Jim Post, Sergei and Tatiano Nikitin, Small Potatoes, Mark Dvorak, and the Grace Family were among the hundreds of performers that graced the Masthouse stage during its 30-year history. One of the goals of Masthouse was to provide a forum for neophyte open mic performers. It opened its doors to such performers and allowed them to grow in experience and skill in an atmosphere of encouragement and acceptance.

Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT

Subscription rates/year

Cheryl Wormley Declarations

She was one of us. She put mailing labels on our subscribers’ papers every Tuesday morning for years and years. In the article, she mentions my children ringing a bell when a route of papers had all been inserted, counted, and bundled. That means she was with us when we were still preparing the total market papers for mailing in house – more than 25 years ago.

Elaine was more than a coworker. She was a friend and mentor. Her beautiful smile and positive attitude were blessings to all. An elder, compared with the rest of us, we learned how to be in your 90s and still be alert, creative, active, and fun. We often heard her say, “You are never to old to learn.”

Elaine didn’t just grow old gracefully, she made the most of every day she was given.

Elaine’s daughter is selling the contents of Elaine’s house including her lovely antiques and many of her works of art. An ad for the sale is in this week’s Classifieds. If interested in the antiques, text 219-381-5316.

Ken – Ken Farver

Now a tribute to Ken Farver: I have known Ken and his wife, Julie, for nearly 40 years. To know them

is to benefit from their friendliness, joy in living, and multiple talents. For years, Ken had taken photos at our church – First Presbyterian, Woodstock. So sometime after he retired from AT&T in 2009, I asked if he’d ever considered taking photos for The Indepndent . He said he hadn’t, but would think about it. Obviously, he decided to give it a try, and for 13 years he and his cameras and long lenses have recorded the lives, passions, adventures, efforts, and celebrations of Woodstock and her people. For many, Ken was The Woodstock Independent Ken and Julie are moving to Kansas at the end of June to live near their daughter Kristin and family. I wish them Godspeed, joy, and new opportunities, and, oh, how I will miss them – and Ken’s photos. Fireworks – Woodstock’s Fourth of July Fireworks

This is my last column before Woodstock’s Fourth of July Fireworks. I’m still on the committee, so I know the goal is a $30,000 show ($5,000 more than last year) at dusk July 4 at Emricson Park. Donations from businesses and individuals both before and on July 4 at the park buy the fireworks. Again this year, the parking fee will be $10 at the South Street entrance. Plan to celebrate our nation’s independence with a big bang and bring a donation.

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

$80 in Woodstock, Bull Valley and Wonder Lake. $82 in McHenry County. $87 for snowbirds and $95 outside McHenry County.

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

Masthouse was instrumental in laying the foundation for the wonderfully talented and vibrant Off Square Music community that exists in Woodstock and McHenry County today.

People not only came to Masthouse First Saturdays to sing, play, and enjoy music, they also came to socialize with friends and to make new friends in the Masthouse downstairs social room where a wonderful spirit of community and fellowship reigned supreme. The downstairs social room had booths and

a beautifully decorated sharing table laden with delicious foods. In this special room, people experienced hugs, shared stories, discussed the topics of the day, played checkers, and even met their future spouse.

For my wife, Marian, and me, attending Masthouse first Saturday singalongs and open mics for 29 years was one of our greatest life blessings.

Bruce Weiss Woodstock

NOON THURSDAY Display advertising ads@thewoodstockindependent com

NOON FRIDAY Legal notices subs@thewoodstockindependent com

Classified Ads classifieds@thewoodstockindependent com

Schools

COLLEGE CURRENTS

Six earn degrees from U of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Six area students earned degrees from the University of WisconsinMilwaukee. They are: Wyatt Meyer, Woodstock, earned his Master of Science in Education from UW-Milwaukee, the second largest university in Wisconsin with over 22,900 graduates; John Clark of Woodstock earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in the Peck School of the Arts; Kendra Bacon, Carter Cullen, Shea Jones, and Michael McLaughlin, all of Wonder Lake, also earned bachelor degrees. Bacon earned a Bachelor of Science in Education; Cullen earned a Bachelor of Science in the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare; Jones earned a Bachelor of Business Administration in the Sheldon B. Lubar College of Business; and McLaughlin earned a Bachelor of Science in the College of Engineering & Applied Science.

Filetti brothers graduate

Aidan Filetti of Woodstock graduated magna cum laude from the Gatton School of Business at the University of Kentucky, with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Business Administration.

Private Gabriel Filetti graduated basic training in the Bravo Battalion of the 1-31st Field Artillery at Fort Sill, Okla. He is currently at Advanced Individual Training for combat medics with the Bravo Company of the 232nd Medical Battalion at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. In August, he will begin his service with the Michigan National Guard, and return to his college studies at Grand Valley State University.

Miller graduates from University of Kentucky

Carter Miller of Woodstock graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish. The University of Kentucky recognized more than 660 candidates during the May commencement.

Kaden Combs’ path to a military career

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Since its founding in 1802, The United States Military Academy at West Point has produced more than 81,000 graduates. The current average is 1,000 per year. Woodstock North High School 2024 graduate Kaden Combs will begin his path to join that number.

“Since I was in middle school I knew I wanted my future to be a military path,” Combs said.

He began the process for nomination in his sophomore year through Congressman Darin LaHood (IL-16) and his staff.

On February 13, 2024, Congressman LaHood announced his nomination of 19 young men and women from his district to West Point, the U.S. Naval Academy or the Air Force Academy. Congressman LaHood called Combs personally to tell him of his nomination to West Point and the Air Force Academy. Combs sent his applications to them as well as to the Coast Guard and to the ROTC program at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh as a backup.

Westpoint wish

Combs indicated that he has always wanted to go to West Point. He visited the campus during two summers to attend Ranger Intensive Camps for wrestlers and worked with the wrestling coach.

Combs credits Woodstock Police Chief John Lieb with being a valuable mentor. Lieb is a West Point graduate himself.

“There is such a small percentage of Americans who are willing to serve in our military,” Lieb explained. “There is even a smaller percentage who are willing to endure the rigors of a military academy. I have a strong sense that one say we will see Kaden Combs being commissioned as an officer into the U.S. Army after

successfully completing West Point.”

Scholarship opportunity

Combs was recently presented with an unexpected choice. He lives in a very populated congressional district in which there are many more fully qualified applicants to West Point than the number who can be accepted. The commander of the Great Lakes area sent an email offering Combs a scholarship in the West Point Preparatory Scholarship Program (WPPSP).

Combs accepted this offer and will report as a Scholar/Leader, which means he studies for one year at one of five approved military schools approved by West Point. He reports on August 4th to Marion Military Institute in Marion, Alabama. At the conclusion of the academic year, he will re-apply to West Point and, if accepted, he has a moral and legal commitment to accept admission. Each year a very high percentage of

the WPPSP scholars are offered admission.

“This is a dream come true; I always wanted a military career and always with the Army.”

His WNHS years prepared him well for this next step. Combs was an NHS member and officer. He participated in football at the varsity level for three years and varsity wrestling for four years. His stellar wrestling career resulted in his earning fifth place in the 2024 IHSA Individual state wrestling tournament.

“I think having a student/athlete combination prepared me to achieve hard goals since I had to manage both and knew that academics was the priority,” Combs said.

Proven leadership

His WNHS wrestling coach Michael Miller agrees. “He was a very dedicated athlete who was always willing to lead by example and put in the extra time in the offseason as well as outside of practice during the regular season. He cared about his teammates and the success of the program and wasn’t just focused on his individual goals.”

Combs said he knows this is a wonderful opportunity that provides a path to the future for him. He feels this upcoming year’s experience will develop him as a person who is able to lead people.

“Kaden Combs embodies the epitome of dedication, excelling not only in academics but also in athletics with unwavering commitment,” WNHS Principal Dr. Joshua Segura said. “Woodstock North High School proudly supports Kaden as he embarks on his pursuit to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. His determination serves as an inspiration to us all.”

2024 WNHS grad Kaden Combs

Creekside seventh-graders visit Burpee Museum

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

The entire Creekside Middle School seventh grade class visited the Burpee Museum of Natural History in Rockford on May 15th and 16th. The 230 students were divided between the two days.

This field trip was arranged by seventh grade math teacher Joanna Kline and seventh grade science teacher Todd Clement.

“While there we focused on animals of the Ice Age and their adaptations,” Clement said. “This matched up with our learning about natural selection, early man and the environment in the last couple months.”

The teachers felt the exposure to the dinosaur fossils was clearly a favorite experience. A hands-on class allowed the students to hold fossils of extinct animals, study the skulls and determine if they were carnivores, omnivores, or herbivores. Students examined the teeth and eye placement and had to guess

the specific animal it was.

“What impressed me most was how invested the students were in trying to figure out the animals and their skulls,” Clement added. “That activity held all of their attention for more than 30 minutes. When the answers were given at the end, they were so excited when they got one right.”

This outing was possible due to the generosity of two groups. An Impact Grant from the District 200 Education Foundation covered the cost for the entrance fee, the Ice Illinois tour and the Analyzing Adaptations workshop. Creekside’s Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) covered the cost of transportation. Clement concluded, “This was a great experience for the students. They were able to take what we learned in class and see it in action with the animals of the Ice Age. Thank you to the Creekside PTO and the Education Foundation for providing money for the students to go on this trip for free.”

see our large selection of in stock carpet and vinyl ready for install!

COURTESY PHOTO

Creekside seventh graders view a dinosaur display at the Burpee Museum.

A & E

Sweeney Todd returns to Opera House

Audience favorite opens June 21 with a nine-performance run

By Eileen Millard NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Woodstock’s Theatre 121 is bringing the Tony-award-winning Broadway favorite “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” to the Woodstock Opera House for a nineperformance run starting Thursday, June 21. Billed as ”a musical thriller” with music and lyrics by Steven Sondheim, it’s a tale of love, hate, murder, and revenge, all wrapped up in a tasty pastry crust for a great night at the theater.

The title character is a barber who murders his customers and teams up with the character of Mrs. Lovett to bake meat pies with the flesh of his victims in 19th-century London.

The story originated as a “Penny Dreadful” book, a form of cheap serial literature found in the 1800s in England, said Billy Seger, director and choreographer for the play. Sweeney Todd first appeared in a story called, “A String of Pearls.”

“From there, the legend grew,” he said. “It may have been based on a real person, possibly Jack the Ripper.” From those humble beginnings,

the story has enjoyed fame as a play, a musical, a ballet, an opera, and a movie.

‘A little group therapy’

When asked what it is about this gruesome tale that has captivated audiences over the years, Seger said, “I think that we, as human beings, are naturally drawn to dark material. This is a fascinating study of the nature of human beings. It really makes you consider society in general. There is darkness; it makes you think about what people are going through, how that shapes you. Does it make you ready to be a better person, or is it an excuse to be a bad person? It’s a little group therapy in a theater.”

While Seger has not directed “Sweeney Todd” in the past, he said the play has “always been on my list to direct.” With an 18-member cast and a run time of two hours and 45 minutes, it promises to be quite a production. “It’s grand in scale,” said Seger.

At the time of the interview, Seger said he was looking forward to moving rehearsals onto the Opera House

stage on June 9 for the final two weeks of rehearsals. “That is new for us, really spending that much time in the space,” he said. When asked if the play will make use of the Opera House’s new digital backdrop, Seger said,“The plan is to use it. But theater is a constantly changing beast, so we’ll have to try it out first.”

Love, life, comedy, the dark side

“It’s … very much a show, to go to the theatre to step away from your life, see the lives of other people,” Seger said. “It features a dark story and a beautiful score, plus dark comedy.”

The songs cover a wide range of emotions. “Joanna” is probably the most well-known of the songs, he said. “Also, there’s ‘Not While I’m Around,’ a sweeping, beautiful ballad. Then there is the song ‘Sweeney Todd’ itself … (with) eight reprises of the song throughout, that help narrate the story.” And, he added, a song called “God, That’s Good!” is about the public’s positive reaction to the new meat pie craze in London, with the very special main ingredient.

The choreography will have some new twists, Seger said. “There aren’t a lot of big dance scenes, (like) joyous explosions. It’s more based on what the characters want and need in the moment.”

Seger has directed Sondheim before. “My first show at the Opera House was ‘Into the Woods,’ another Sondheim show. Sondheim is my go-to; if there is a chance to do it, I will fight for it.”

He also did choreography for “Rent” at the Opera House in 2023, and has directed other plays, including “Beaty and the Beast,” “Little Mermaid,” “The Addams Family,” and “Christmas Story.”

“I grew up in theater at the Opera House,” he said with a laugh.

Come on out and see it

“If you’ve never seen it before, we have an extremely talented cast of actors and very talented creative team members,” Seger added. “And if you have seen it before, it’s a ‘Sweeney Todd’ that you haven’t seen … a new approach to the material … in a really unique way. It’s a fresh take on it.”

COURTESY PHOTOS

Norgie Montes De Oca-Metzinger stars as Sweeney Todd (left), Sherri Warren as Mrs. Lovett, and Alex Fayer as Beadle Bamford.

PICTURE THIS

The McHenry County Historical Society presents “Chicago - Lake Geneva: A 100-Year Road Trip: Retracing the Route of H. Sargent Michaels’ 1905 Photographic Guide for Motorists” at 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 15, at 6422 Main St. in Union. This program will be presented by author and historian Wilbert Stroeve and uses one of these guides from 1905 to navigate from Chicago to Lake Geneva and Beloit. It shows a Chicago-Lake Geneva region that has been transformed - and even more remarkable, a few scenes that have remained unchanged. The original maps and modern maps help you carefully retrace the route.

The cost is $10 for the public and $5 for members. Register for the program at gothistory.org.

Tryouts at Woodstock’s City Park (Emricson Park) are conducted for the first Woodstock Little League season in 1954. Notice the many areas in the park where tryouts are being conducted. The field was improved and dugouts were constructed in the early 1990s.

Don Peasley Photo Collection, McHenry County Historical Society

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office May 2. to 7.

■ Residence at 656 Oak St., Woodstock, was sold by Blake F. Cuchna, Woodstock, to Caleb J. Sheedlo, Woodstock, for $270,000.

■ Residence at 641 Schumann St. Unit 25C, Woodstock, was sold by Chicago Title Land Trust Company, Pingree Grove, to The Janet S. Lindner Living Family Land Trust, Woodstock, for $275,000.

■ Residence at 309 Forrest Ave., Woodstock, was sold by Kristine L. Uptegraph, Crystal Lake, to Joseph R. Fuller, Woodstock, for $170,000.

■ Residence at 427 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock, was sold by The Lindner Living Family Land Trust, Woodstock, to Jennifer Barrick, Woodstock, for $325,000.

■ Residence at 518 Fremont St., Woodstock, was sold by JKP Properties LLC, Crystal Lake, to Norrie Legare, Woodstock, for $219,900.

■ Residence at 755 Carol Ave., Woodstock, was sold by Chicago Title Land Trust Company, Lakewood, Wis., to Derek Slaw, Woodstock, for $349,000.

■ Residence at 8533 Stillwater Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by Eric P. Moriarty, Schaumburg, to Gaurand Suthar, Round Lake, for $265,000.

■ Residence at 602 N. Madison St., Woodstock, was sold by Frank Neidenbach, Palatine, to Maria C. Calara, Lake In The Hills, for $325,000.

■ Residence at 883 Pleasant St., Woodstock, was sold by The Sylvia A. Gallagher Living Trust, Woodstock, to Javier Ramirez, Woodstock, for $276,950.

Garrett Anderson stands outside City Hall, where he has served as Woodstock’s Economic Development Director for the past nine years. He will become the economic development director for Commerce City, Colorado, on June 24. Danielle Gulli, Woodstock’s executive director of business development, said that she will miss Anderson’s “welcoming nature, can-do attitude, initiative, love of data, and calmness under pressure.”

Time to tie it up and put a bow on it

Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson departs for Colorado job

By Susan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

After nine years as the City of Woodstock’s economic development director, Garrett Anderson is leaving his position to take a job in the same capacity in Commerce City, Colorado.

Serving the business community

Anderson briefly described the economic development director’s role as “representing City Hall to the business community in order to facilitate investment in Woodstock.”

“This is a relationship business,” Anderson said.

Hubs Realty plans to spend in redeveloping the former DieCast site.

Woodstock’s Executive Director of Business Development Danielle Gulli said that Anderson was “instrumental in bringing a viable redevelopment agreement” for the DieCast site to the city.

Keefe

“We’re looking for a new adventure,” Anderson said, referring to himself and his wife, Jeannie, a California native whose family members live in the western United States.

The move to Colorado will put the couple roughly halfway between their two sons, who live in Missouri and Utah.

During his tenure, Anderson helped get business incentives passed through city council that totaled $30 million, including establishment of the city’s TIF District and Enterprise Zone.

Those initiatives resulted in $200 million in investment, Anderson said, an amount that includes roughly $100 million that Chicago

She also commended Anderson for taking “the lead in developing the Downtown Development Plan in 2017-2018, saving the city tens of thousands of dollars by handling this internally.”

The Woodstock City Council adopted the plan in 2019.

Woodstock City Manager Roscoe See ANDERSON Page 24

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Marian Central Catholic High School Class of 2024

A commemorative section brought to you by The Woodstock Independent and other generous community sponsors

‘A

Speech delivered by Marian Central Catholic High School valedictorian

Samuel Hoover

MAY 24, 2024

Reverend fathers, sisters, members of administration and faculty, honored guests, parents, friends, and fellow classmates, I am honored to stand before you tonight as a representative of the class of 2024.

mosaic of memories’

Samuel Hoover

Today, we celebrate more than 73 graduates. We celebrate all who have touched our lives and hearts, enabling us to blossom into individuals ready to beautify this world. It’s with a heart overflowing with gratitude that I personally thank the administration, all the teachers, the staff, and last but certainly not least, my parents (Michele and Brad) for their countless hours and unwavering support. I tell my parents a lot “I love you, and not just cause you give me money”- I thought this was a good time to reiterate that.

Today, we don’t only celebrate a day defined by caps and gowns, good-byes and see-you-laters, ends and beginnings, but all the days leading up to this very one- the 720 days of high school (sorry math department if I calculated that wrong). All these days were filled with moments that have sculpted our minds, left footprints across our hearts, and interwoven

our souls to classmates we now call friends. These 720 days form a ‘mosaic of memories’, as each individual moment- the monumental and seemingly insignificant ones alike- form a beautifully unique part of the legacy we have written. Jim Valvano, basketball player and legendary coach, believed in this power of cherishing every single moment, no matter the whisper of its possible insignificance. In his famous speech given toward the end of his battle with cancer, he radiated this message to the world: “If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that’s a full day”. We have shared all three during our 720 days together, making not only our days full, but our time unforgettable.

Laugh. The first beautifully unique piece in our mosaic of memories. This class embraced challenges and celebrated victories, yet emerged most triumphant in our ability to truly enjoy our time together. We loved each other through our laughter- even if it was the unsolicited kind in a quiet classroom. Thus, one of our greatest accomplishments might be a trophy case of smiles assembled by individuals who took the time to cross the barrier from teacher to mentor, classmate…to friend. Here at Marian, we learned there is value in being connected. Everyday, passionate connection is an attainable reality, one that makes life vibrant: you love living when you laugh…and find people to do it with.

Think. The next beautiful piece in our mosaic of memories. Well, this one might be obvious, as we did have to

do school work together…sometimes. Yet, I believe this word emphasizes much more: our creativity, our passions, and our determination. We sit in a room of thinkers, leaders, artists, musicians, problem-solvers…believers…dreamers. What truly sets our legacy apart is not our mere abilities, but our bravery to believe in the impossible and courage to make it our reality. This legacy will not end here. It will continue to blossom as we chase our biggest dreams and hunt down that magnetic pull of adventure and newness with bravery, courage, but most importantly, gratitude for this place and the people in it who enlightened our minds and opened our eyes to our potential… even when we were blind to our own brilliance. As we look to the future, I want to take a moment to appreciate all the individuals in our lives- our parents, siblings, families, teachers, coaches, and friends- who helped us think of a big dream and believe in it, serving as a window to Heaven by radiating tireless belief and by tugging on our heart strings with angelic, patient love . Thank you to those who helped us believe we could “shine bright like a diamond” (just like Rihanna said). Yet, this class does more than simply think. We hope to radically transform this world, that often seems too dark, through igniting passion into new ideas, radiating Christlike love through a soul-invested demeanor, and constantly believing in the power of shining something as simple as a smile.

Cry. The last beautifully unique piece in our mosaic of memories.

We’ve been overflowing fountains of support for one another during times of unimaginable struggle, uncertainty, even failure. That support continues to this very moment, the final moment, the final piece, the end: graduation. Well, at least it’s supposed to be the end. Some might even call it a beginning. Standing alone, both fail to fully articulate what today really is. It’s interesting that we can celebrate such contrasting and complex things simultaneously. We can celebrate beauty in the end and hopefully anticipate what awaits in a new beginning.

This mosaic of memories is made up of millions of moments, all of which come together and display 720 ‘full days’- overflowing with laughter, thinking, sometimes tears. We cannot simply sit in admiration of this mosaic, though. Marian has sculpted us into faith-filled souls, determined minds, and passionate individuals. Our potential has been ignited. Many people say they want to change this world, yet I know that all 73 of us have the courage and determination to transform that statement into a promise. We leave Marian with this: a promise to change our world. And I am confident we will: through staring down challenges with a smile, believing in the impossible, remaining connected to connection, shining beauty into small moments, sowing seeds of kindness, through laughing, thinking, sometimes crying, but never forgetting the power in making every day a full one.

Thank you, God bless, and roll ’Canes!

MARIAN CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 2024 GRADUATES

Rylan Dolter

Matthew Domek

Andrew Dovidio

Elizabeth Drwila

Reese Eckstein

Makaylah Farrell

Thomas Bubala

Alexander Burdzy

Amanda Burr

Ella Conlon

Amanda Demiglio Clarkson Ava Denman

Christian Bentancur Quinn Brady

Anthony Brennan Cody Brockner

Anna Bubala

Michael Bubala

Anthony Alanis

Abel Arce

Max Astacio

Zuzanna Bajda

Chloe Basch

Sierra Baumann

The Woodstock

Micheala Johnson Alexandra Joosten

Mary Keane

Peyton Keller

Kiara Kelly

Madison Kenyon

Griffin Graff

Mackenzie Henning

Samuel Herda

Samuel Hoover

Lucy Iden

Tyson Jakubowicz

Nora Finnegan

Santino Fiore

Greta Fortin

Chandler Gardner

Holly Garrelts

William Gillaspie

MARIAN CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 2024 GRADUATES

Take pride in how far you've come, have faith in how far you can go.

Ella Notaro

Alexander Odahowski

Jordan Orlos

Jazlynn Prado

Amelia Reiche

Vincent Ricciardi

Samuel Mahoney

Maksymilian Malinski

Cale McThenia

Leah Miller

Fiona Morris

Madeleine Noon

Daniel Kirchner

Ava Kleinschmidt

Abigail Kwasigroch

Michael Lange

Anna Lingle

Benjamin Lipinski

MARIAN CENTRAL CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL 2024 GRADUATES

Emma Weber Grace Wingett

Walter Young

Alexis Zick

Megan Thuma Braedon Todd

Sean Truckenbrod

Maja Tryba

Christopher Vallee

Elizabeth Wake

Nathan Sarfo Jacob Sievert

Aidan Smereczynski

Logan Stilling

Caroline Stumpf

Audrey Szpicki

By the Dozen announces Woodstock location will open on Tuesday, June 18

By Susan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Brent Nelson, owner of By the Dozen Bakery in Machesney Park and Harvard, told The Woodstock Independent that the bakery’s new Woodstock location has a June 18 soft opening date, with an anticipated grand opening on July 12.

Swiss Maid Bakery operated for nearly 50 years at 122 N. Benton Street, selling doughnuts, cakes, breads, pies, and cookies that were baked at Swiss Maid’s main location at 104 E. Brainard Street in Harvard.

Longtime owner Paul Stricker sold Swiss Maid in 2018, but a little over a year later, the new owner handed Stricker the keys and walked out.

ANDERSON

Continued from Page 12

Stelford singled out the redevelopment of the Woodstock Square Apartment site and delivering the city’s pandemic support programs to local businesses as among Anderson’s other notable achievements.

Beyond business

An experience that Anderson said he’ll particularly treasure fell outside his job description - teaching high school students about entrepreneurship through Woodstock High School’s incubator program.

With Jackie Speciale, senior manager at MAC Automation, Anderson served as a mentor for the program from its inception, and he later cotaught the course, during which students had the opportunity to meet with local business owners to tap their expertise.

“The incubator program lets local business owners give back to the community,” Anderson said.

He enthusiastically volunteered at local events, including Summer in the Park and Ladies’ Night Out.

“I enjoy having the community get together,” he said.

With regard to his day-to-day

While bankruptcy proceedings played out, Stricker and Nelson talked about the possibility of the Machesney Park-based By the Dozen taking over the business.

In November 2020, By the Dozen, a fourth-generation family bakery, opened its second location in the Harvard Swiss Maid. At that time, reopening in Woodstock seemed imminent, but the Benton Street retail spot remained vacant until workers recently began cleaning and prepping the location.

When By the Dozen opened in Harvard, it brought its own recipes and incorporated many Swiss Maid favorites, a menu that will be replicated in Woodstock.

responsibilities, Anderson said that he’s “very proud” of the city’s incubator program in the Old Courthouse Center. When The Records Department recently announced a move to Main Street after six months in one of the incubator spots, Anderson said that the city was “thrilled” with the business’s success.

Anderson also led the Government Day part of Leadership Greater McHenry County’s program to recognize and grow leadership skills within the community, bringing in mayors from different municipalities in the county to talk with the emerging leaders from their own cities.

Through that experience and in collaborating to establish priorities for county officials to present to the state level, Anderson noted something “unique to McHenry County.”

“The municipalities do not fight with each other,” Anderson said. “My counterparts in other McHenry County municipalities are constantly talking to each other.”

Best part, worst part of the job

For Anderson, the best part of his job has been “working with a prospective small business owner to turn a dream into a reality.”

Especially fun in that regard, he said, was working with GriffoNest

Games owner Scott Rogganbuck to get his store open and then see it succeed and expand into a larger location.

And while Anderson says he has “trouble separating challenges from opportunities,” the hardest days for him have involved meetings with owners of struggling businesses who waited too long before asking for help.

The to-do list for the next director

When Anderson left his job as economic development director in Branson, Missouri, in 2009 to take the Woodstock job, he was already familiar with the city. His sister had moved to Woodstock several years prior, and Anderson and his family had visited her frequently. Anderson’s parents moved to Woodstock a couple of years after he took the economic development job.

Because of family ties, Anderson expects to return often.

In future trips to Woodstock, Anderson said that he hopes to see “most of the DieCast site built out and a destination restaurant in the BMO bank building on the Woodstock Square.”

Whoever takes Anderson’s job will have to keep the momentum going in the Old Courthouse Center by bringing in new tenants, identify

areas where new industrial facilities can be built, make sure that the county has a trained workforce for business, and keep finding ways to increase housing density in the downtown area, he said.

The extension of the Metra line and the opening of the University City “will have a big impact,” he said.

Pack up the bowties

Anderson’s Commerce City destination is a mixture of industrial and residential areas, northeast of downtown Denver. Three interstatesI-25, I-76, and I-270 - intersect there, and the town has been growing rapidly, both in annexed land and population.

Anderson will work his last day for the City of Woodstock on June 19 and assume his responsibilities in Commerce City on June 24.

In his suitcase will be his signature bow ties.

Anderson received his first bow tie from one of his mentors when he became an Eagle Scout. A couple of years later, he committed to the accessory, gathering all of his neckties and giving them to his brother, who was also his college roommate.

“The bowtie will be missed,” Gulli said. “It’s a symbol of his consummate professionalism.”

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

The former Swiss Maid Bakery location will open June 18 as By the Dozen Bakery.

Community

Even an acre of remnant prairie is precious

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County preserves a one-acre cemetery

Glenda Maki

THE LAND CONSERVANCY OF MCHENRY COUNTY

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County has permanently preserved Queen Anne Cemetery, a one-acre parcel of remnant Illinois prairie on Queen Anne Road, north of Woodstock.

The cemetery, also known as Eckert Cemetery, was established in 1852 when German immigrants Henry and Catherine Eckert donated an acre of their farm to Jacob Eckert, Peter Frey, Michael Herdklotz, Peter Senger, Peter Herdklotz, Adam Schneider, George Sondericker (and others) for use as their cemetery.

Over the years, more than 60 people (and one dog) were buried there. Milford Herdklotz was the last burial, in 1949, with his dog Putsie.

The cemetery received care on and off in its 172-year history –however, more recently the parcel became overgrown with invasive sumac, making it difficult to see and walk amongst the graves.

Remnant prairie preserved

In 2022, Jane and Pam Gerloff, descendants of one of the original families, reached out to TLC to help them preserve the cemetery prairie. After meeting with the Gerloffs, TLC began searching for a way to gain legal title to the site, knowing that even an acre of remnant prairie is precious. Just 1/100th of onepercent of the original prairie that covered 21 million acres of Illinois still remains – much of it in settlers’ cemeteries and along railroad rights of way.

An area is considered to be remnant prairie when it has been untouched by farm plows, which till up the soil, expose its valuable microbes to air, and cause them to die off. Old cemetery prairies are often unique in that they were likely never plowed, so the soil holds ancient microbes that can be revived after hundreds of years, allowing valuable native plants to grow and flourish.

When TLC ran a title search to see the ownership history of the land, the only deed that was recognized

as legitimate was the original handwritten deed from 1852, meaning that the site was technically owned equally by every descendant of those named in that original deed. Working with the Gerloffs, TLC was able to track down a number of those descendants.

In March 2024, TLC recorded quit claim deeds from two descendants of the original families who are buried in the cemetery. TLC will continue to record deeds from descendants it has found to demonstrate that anyone who may have a claim of ownership has consented to TLC taking care of the property in perpetuity.

Small but mighty

TLC’s Executive Director Lisa Haderlein, said, “Land conservation projects come in all shapes and sizes, and even small properties can be very important.”

Jane and Pam Gerloff said, “The cemetery was important to our grandfather, Herbert Eckert, who burned the cemetery every year to preserve the native prairie plants.

When our mother was a child, she used to spend time reading the gravestones, sometimes on her way to or from school. She loved the often flowery language and the sense of history it gave her.”

The Gerloffs added, “Herb Eckert shared the same values that The Land Conservancy of McHenry County has so beautifully embodied: care for nature, the land and community. We are very grateful to The Land Conservancy — and to our friend Paul Soderholm, the prairie restoration enthusiast who facilitated our connection with TLC.”

Volunteers welcome

TLC welcomes volunteers who would like to assist with either prairie or cemetery restoration. Interested parties can email Megan Oropeza, TLC’s restoration ecologist, at moropeza@conservemc.org, to get involved.

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County is a member-based private nonprofit dedicated to preserving natural, scenic and agricultural land.

COURTESY PHOTOS

The Queen Anne Cemetery sign (left) that was damaged by a previous ecological burn. Jacob Eckert (center), and the cemetery as it appeared when the property was acquired in April 2024.

Happenings

https://materialthingsartisanmarket.myncrsilver.com/commerce/ categories/de23280c-110d-4746b1ba-c634722ea2a8

12

WEDNESDAY

WOODSTOCK CITY BAND

Park in the Square

“Danzas Latinas” Ice cream social

7 p.m.

KARAOKE NIGHT

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 to 9 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

13

THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

MOVIES IN THE PARK ‘STRANGE WORLD’

Woodstock Square

7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

14 FRIDAY

OPEN MIC NIGHT

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

To sign up, email Keith@offsquare music.com

RIDE/WALK TO LEAVE A LIGHT ON 2024

Woodstock Square

7 to 10 p.m.

Light strings $9 each

‘THE BIRDCAGE’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

$10

woodstockoperahouse.com

15 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

Woodstock Square

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

woodstockfarmersmarket.org

Music: Pierce Crask

JUNETEENTH

Park in the Square

All Day

BEV RAGE & THE DRINKS/ PINKSQUEEZE

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

$25

woodstockoperahouse.com

16 SUNDAY

OPEN MIC STORYTELLING

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St. 2 to 4 p.m. Hosted by Jim May

18 TUESDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

Woodstock Square

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

woodstockfarmersmarket.org

Music: Aaron Kelly

WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL

Council Chambers, City Hall

121 W. Calhoun St.

7 p.m.

woodstockil.gov

SPELLING BEE

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

$7

woodstockoperahouse.com

19 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

WOODSTOCK CITY BAND

Park in the Square “Wide Open Spaces” Ice cream social 7 p.m.

KARAOKE NIGHT

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 to 9 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

20 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB

TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

To submit calendar items, email pr@thewoodstockindependent.com

MOVIES IN THE PARK ‘LILO & STITCH’

Woodstock Square

7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

21 FRIDAY

‘SWEENEY TODD’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

7:30 p.m.

Adults: $26 A seats, $20 B seats

Seniors: $24 A seats, $18 B seats

Students: $16 A seats, $10 B seats

woodstockoperahouse.com

JAZZ NIGHT

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

8 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

22 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

Woodstock Square

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

woodstockfarmersmarket.org

Music: Gunslingers and Montana Suede

‘SWEENEY TODD’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

2 and 7:30 p.m.

Adults: $26 A seats, $20 B seats

Seniors: $24 A seats, $18 B seats

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

STAGE LEFT PRESENTS

FEATURING CASSANDRA & FRIENDS

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

Resurrection Catholic Church

8 p.m.

12 (including fees) woodstockoperahouse.com

23 SUNDAY

‘SWEENEY TODD’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

2 p.m.

Adults: $26 A seats, $20 B seats

Seniors: $24 A seats, $18 B seats

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

25 TUESDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

Woodstock Square

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

woodstockfarmersmarket.org

Music: TBA

26 WEDNESDAY

KARAOKE NIGHT

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 to 9 p.m. woodstockoperahouse.com

27 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.

FLASHBACKS

35 years ago – 1989

■ The Woodstock City Council voted to reduce the number of Class A-1 (tavern) liquor licenses available in the city from 10 to nine.

■ Joey T’s Café Italiano announced plans to relocate to 228 Main St., the former location of Knuth’s Sport and Office Outfitters.

30 years ago –1994

■ The Public Works Department announced it would be making repairs to 16 streets. A total of $263,024 had been budgeted for the repairs.

■ Woodstock High School’s Renee Walkington, Hannah Friedel, and Angela Delmonte were named to the 1994 All-Fox Valley Conference softball team. Michelle Stavropoulos and Heather Woznicki were selected to the FVC All-Conference girls soccer team.

25 years ago – 1999

■ Centegra Health System and Wells Manufacturing publicly supported the building of peaker power plants in McHenry County.

■ Diana Rachford was crowned Miss Wonder Lake 1999, and Maelyn Clark was first runner-up.

■ The Woodstock Independent offered one outstanding spelling certificate for each District 200 and St. Mary School elementary school classroom. Seventy-five winners were announced in the June 12 newspaper.

20 years ago – 2004

■ Katie Prichard was crowned Miss Woodstock 2004.

■ Assistant City Manager Derik Morefield announced that chromium in the groundwater of a portion of the former Die Cast site, bounded by First and Clay streets and the train tracks, would prevent the construction of basements in any structure built on the portion of the property known as Parcel B.

■ A time capsule was buried in Sesquicentennial Park as part of the park’s dedication. The public was invited to submit items to be included in the 2 to 3-foot-long 10-inch diameter PVC pipe. The capsule would be dug up and

reopened during the city’s bicentennial in 2052.

15 years ago – 2009

■ Jane Koehler and Maggie Crane had led third-graders on walking tours of the Woodstock Square and the nearby historic houses and buildings since 1982. Though they retired, they agreed to lead tours in the fall of 2009 to provide instruction to new guides Beth Ryan, Andrea Vernola, and Kirk Dawdy. ■ Contestants in the 2009 Miss Woodstock Pageant were Courtney Chaffins, Jaid Ritter, Lydia Chavez, Morgan Dzakowic, Brittany Oclon, Lisa Kucharski, and Sarah McGregor.

10 years ago – 2014

■ The WHS varsity baseball team won its Class 3A regional by defeating Marian Central 1-0 and Richmond-Burton 2-1. It was the Streaks first regional title since 1992. The Streaks almost didn’t advance past Marian. Hurricane sophomore Kolton Rominiski threw a no-hitter through seven innings. WHS

senior Alex Ferguson, in the only hit of the game, doubled in the eighth for the win. The Streaks’ winning pitcher was junior Austin Butts.

■ Unity Spiritual Center was the site of the marriage of Dave Carlson and Tony Rotolante. The North Barrington couple was among the first to be legally married in a same-sex marriage in McHenry County.

■ Woodstock North High School pole vaulter Jimmy Krenger placed eighth in the IHSA Class 2A state track and field meet with a vault of 13 feet, 6 inches.

5 years ago – 2019

■ Promote Woodstock, which had been Woodstock’s marketing program, became Real Woodstock, and city officials moved the day-to-day management of the effort from the marketing firm A5, out of Chicago, to the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Danielle Gulli, chamber executive director, was named president of the new five-member Real Woodstock leadership group.

■ Rainbow colors reigned during the PrideFest parade and festival on the Square. Parade marshals were Alberto Perez and Woodstock City Councilman Darrin Flynn.

■ Pam Moorhouse retired after working at the Woodstock Public Library for 36 years. Her love of books and her degree in early childhood education led her to create what was perhaps her most enduring legacy – the library’s vibrant children’s programming.

1 years ago – 2023

■ Staff members of The Woodstock Independent won 31 awards, seven of them first place, in the annual contest of the Illinois Press Association. Editor Larry Lough was named the IPA’s Editor of the Year.

■ The Woodstock City Band began its 139th season of summer concerts in the Park in the Square with “Governor’s March” by Col. A.F. Hand. Directors Rich Stiles and Bill Kraemer were looking forward to weekly concerts that would continue for eight weeks.

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY JIM PEARSON, AUG. 13, 1997

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

SET PIECE SHELL SPARKS SPHERE SPIDER STARS STROBE WATERFALL

Sports

SATURDAY IN THE PARK

COLLEGE REPORT:

By Dan Chamness

June

Evan Bridges wraps up stellar Carroll University Career

When the main act leaves the stage at rock concerts, many rock fans will scream for an encore.

The musicians, more times than not, will oblige the crowd. For Evan Bridges, his encore, in other words, his final few outings during the spring months of his senior season, were the best of his career. Just like the performance of the rock musicians does, the Woodstock graduate gave the Carroll coaches, golf fans and teammates something to remember.

Bridges was playing his best golf at the end of his career, not only earning allconference in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin in the final outing of his career, but also winning two other tournaments and placing third in another.

“I believe I became a better golfer during my college career for two reasons,” said the Pioneer golfer. “First, I .was not a multisport athlete any longer. My athletic focus was completely

on golf. In addition, because of that, I put in much more time practicing and focusing in on that.”

During the spring months, he was not over 80 strokes per 18 holes one time. Only twice did he shoot 79 and once did he card a 77. The other nine rounds were all under 75. Combined with the seven rounds of the fall months, Bridges carded 1,398 strokes for 19 rounds, an average of 73.58 strokes per 18 holes.

“I will never forget earning allconference my junior season,” said Bridges. “I had to grind out three rounds in extremely difficult conditions to earn first-team all-conference honors. I think I echo what most athletes would state was the most difficult time of their career was dealing with COVID. It was the complete unknown and you could not turn to anyone from the past for advice, because they did not know either. I never thought athletics would be completely canceled, but I did not know when it would come back. I worked at a golf course and was able to hit the links quite a bit during the shutdown. It helped me improve, which I was able to show when we returned to action.”

During his career, Bridges shot a low round of 68, which occurred in the fall months of 2023. He is one of three

Carroll golfers who have shot a 68, the lowest of any Pioneer golfer. He would also hit the top-ten leaderboard with other rounds during his career. His 222 for 54 holes is also a record for three rounds. During the fall months of his final season, his average of 71.6 per 18 holes was also a record.

Team-wise, he is part of two records. The 290 shot for a single round is a record as is the 595 for a two-round, or 36-hole, tournament.

“Woodstock High was essential in my success and preparing me for college golf,” said Bridges. “We had a cooperative team with Woodstock North and we played against some of the largest schools in the state in different tournaments. Those teams had some of the best individuals in the state of Illinois, many that moved on to compete at the NCAA Division I level. It helped me to focus and concentrate on playing great golf. The other thing that helped me was all the times I played our home course, Bull Valley. Even competing at the college level, Bull Valley is still the toughest course I have ever been on. Playing there and practicing there prepared me so well.”

His steady improvement during his career helped him drop his career average to below 80 strokes per round. In the 72 rounds of his career, he shot

5,666, an average of 78.69 per 18 holes.

The son of Maura and Steve Bridges of Woodstock earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

“I can’t thank my parents enough,” said Bridges. “They supported me throughout my athletic career. They traveled to every tournament they could and my mother was at every round that I played in the final two years of my career. I am thankful they were at my side, supporting me and encouraging me throughout my time not only in college, but throughout my career, no matter the sport.”

Dan Chamness writes The College Report for The Independent.

COURTESY PHOTO

Saturdays in the summer are for baseball in Bates Park. The Independent captured Penny Henden (left), and Emily Smyth Storm

8, enjoying bittie ball and 11u softball.

Evan Bridges

COURTESY PHOTO

Collegiate golfer Evan Bridges in action for Carroll University.

HEAT MELTS CHEESEHEAD

The Woodstock Heat 9u team won the Cheesehead Clash tournament last weekend, going 4-0 and beating the Hartford Hawks to win the title Sunday afternoon.

Pictured: (Front row) Maverick Madsen, Kainen Hahn-Clifton, Hudson Kleinhanzl, James Broederdorf, Burke Glick, and Porter Joseph. (Second row) Patrick Swanson, Brayton Pippenger, Emmett Weber, Finn Mader, Kyle Rago, Dawson Hanson, and Kade Smith. (Third row) Coaches Rick Madsen, TJ Clifton, Bryan Broederdorf, Levi Pippenger and Ian Rago. Not pictured, coach Ian Weber.

IN BRIEF

Woodstock North Boosters host Thunder Golf Classic

The Woodstock North High School Boosters Club has announced the schedule for the 2024 Thunder Golf Classic. The annual fundraiser for the group will be held Friday, July 19, at Boone Creek Golf Club, 6912 Mason Hill Road, McHenry.

The golf outing portion of the event will offer an 18-hole shotgun start at 10 a.m., or a 9-hole shotgun start at noon. The event will also include raffles, a 50/50 drawing, and more.

Participants can register as an individual 9-hole golfer for $65; 9-hole group - $260; individual 18-hole golfer - $125; or an 18-hole group - $500. Registrations made prior to July 1 receive a discount.

Hole and event sponsor opportunities are still available.

To register, visit wnhsboosterclub. square.site.

For questions, email wnhsboosterclub@aol.com.

Hunter was rescued from Southern Illinois about two months ago. He is a very affectionate boy, currently weighing about 25 pounds. He loves to give out kisses and cuddles everywhere and he’s friendly with everyone he meets. He’s happy to be doing anything and nothing, whether it’s going on a walk, out to play, our just hanging out. The staff finds Hunter super silly and very entertaining. If you’re looking for a puppy who loves life, then Hunter is your dog! Call Helping Paws to make an appointment to meet him.

Paul Lockwood went to Washington, D.C., for his brother’s wedding and requested through Congressman Bill Foster’s office the chance to do a self-guided White House tour.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on MAY 20, 2024 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as ISO HAIR STUDIO located at 276 CARY ALGONQUIN RD. CARY, IL 60013. Owner Name & Address: RACHAEL COSTLEY 1565 DRIFTWOOD LN. CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014.

Dated: MAY 20, 2024 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk)

(Published in The Woodstock Independent May 29, 2024, June 5, 2024, June 12, 2024)L11796

PUBLIC NOTICE

To Whom It May Concern:

Esser Automotive 370 E. Prairie St Unit #14 Crystal Lake, IL 60014 intends to enforce a mechanic’s lien under Chapter 770 ILCS 50/3 against Jessica Bahl for repairs and storage of a 2004 Ford Explorer with the VIN#1FMZU73K84ZA28949 and license plate CU22723 for the repair amount due of $1992.69 plus storage fees of $50 per day beginning May 20, 2024.

(Published in The Woodstock Independent May 29, 2024, June 5, 2024, June 12, 2024)L11797

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE Case No. 2024PR000141

In the Matter of the Estate of PAULINE P. JOHNSON

Deceased

CLAIM NOTICE

Notice is given of the death of PAULINE P. JOHNSON

Of: CRYSTAL LAKE, IL Letters of office were issued on: 5/8/2024

To Representative: MARY VALENTINE 75 SYCAMORE LN. CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014

HECTOR BARAJAS 793 VILLAGE CIRCLE MARENGO, IL 60152 whose attorney is: WILBRANDT LEGAL 65 S. VIRGINIA ST. CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014

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

PUBLIC NOTICES

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 29, 2024, June 5, 2024, June 12, 2024)L11799

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT

MCHENRY COUNTY

PUBLICATION NOTICE OF COURT

DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE (ADULT)

Request of DARREN ELLIS DEPPE

Case No. 2024MR000078

There will be a court hearing on my Request to change my name from: DARREN ELLIS DEPPE

To the new name of: DARREN ELLIS RIVCHIN

The court date will be held on July 24, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at 2200 N. Seminary Ave. Woodstock, McHenry County in Courtroom TBD.

Dated at Woodstock, IL May 22, 2024 /s/ Darren Ellis Deppe

(Published in The Woodstock Independent May 29, 2024, June 5, 2024, June 12, 2024)L11800

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 6/24/2024 at 8:30 am. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents is household goods and furnishings. Vanessa McGehee Unit #315; Ed Delli Unit #717. 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 June 5, 2024, June 12, 2024)L11801

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on MAY 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 Beltran ProCleaners located at 3103 S. WOODS AVE. MCHENRY, IL 60051. Owner Name & Address: ALEJANDRO LEAL PORCAYO 3103 S. WOODS AVE. MCHENRY, IL 60051.

Dated: MAY 30, 2024

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent June 5, 2024, June 12, 2024)L11802

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on JUNE 3, 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 WORTH HER SALT SOURDOUGH located at 517 DEAN ST. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098. Owner Name & Address: JENNIFER FRASER-CHESKI 517 DEAN ST. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098.

Dated: JUNE 3, 2024 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk)

(Published in The Woodstock Independent June 12, 2024)L11805

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on JUNE 3, 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 J & A ROOFING AND GUTTERS SOLUTION located at 221 S. DRIFTWOOD TRAIL MCHENRY, IL 60050. Owner Name & Address: JULIO TORRES 221 SS. DRIFTWOOD TRAIL MCHENRY, IL 60050.

Dated: JUNE 3, 2024 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk)

(Published in The Woodstock Independent June 12, 2024)L11806