I NDEPENDENT
BUSINESS
By the Dozen Bakery is open for business on the Square
12
Woodstock’s Quinn Cynor swims for Olympic bid
‘Something
Grateful PrideFest supporters pack council chamber at June 18 meeting
By Eileen Millard NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
It took close to an hour for supporters of the 2024 PrideFest event to thank the council for their continuing support of the festival at the June 18
City Council meeting.
Attendees shared their personal stories and thanked the Woodstock Pride organization for their work in running the annual event which drew an estimated 9,000 people to the Square over the two-day festival.
Finding acceptance
“I’m grateful for the important work that Woodstock Pride does in our city,” said Woodstock resident Toni McLellan. “I am also thankful for the support that the city has offered to
The Woodstock Independent 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098
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Fax: 815-338-8177
Thewoodstock independent.com
Bus drivers opposed to ‘activity buses’
By Carol Dierksen NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
D-200 School Board reconsiders proposed purchase after
More than 20 transportation workers attended the June 18 meeting of the Woodstock School District 200 Board of Education meeting. During the communications section of the meeting, three of the district’s bus drivers spoke against a proposed purchase of two used activity
buses, which the board had been scheduled to vote on in the meeting. An activities bus differs from a typical school bus in two ways: it is smaller, holding up to 14 passengers and a driver; and the driver does not
INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER
prior to
Ride/
this vital civic organization … we all benefit when we come together as a community.”
Carrie MacDonald, Woodstock, talked about how her children found acceptance in Woodstock. “It was not until we moved to this wonderful city that they felt acceptance from so many around them … we are blessed to live in a city where they have the freedom to express their true selves. Thank you to Woodstock Pride, to the city of Woodstock, and to you, our city council, for continuing to affirm all people.”
Shannon Mingalone, vice president of Woodstock Pride, talked about joining the group when she moved to Woodstock in 2021. “I’m glad I was able to meet them … to be part of planning the event for those future folks who needed to see Woodstock Pride, who needed to see the massive amount of community support that comes out for this event, who needed to see the dozens of local businesses and government organizations that support Pride, help make it all happen.”
PUBLIC SAFETY LOG
Woodstock Police Department
■ Timothy J. Ryan, 46, Woodstock, was arrested May 30 at Aspen Drive on charges of animal nuisance. Cited and released. Court date July 11.
■ Anthony E. Torres, 26, Chicago, was arrested June 2 at Forest Avenue on charges of aggravated assault on police officer, aggravated fleeing/eluding, unlawful restraint, obstructing a police officer, reckless driving. Transported to McHenry Co. Jail. Court date June 10.
■ Giovanni W. Perez, 31, Woodstock, was arrested June 2 at Lake Avenue on charges of aggravated domestic battery, aggravated battery in public way, domestic battery. Transported to McHenry Co. Jail. Court date TBD.
■ Jonathan M. Franzen, 26, transient, was arrested June 3 at Church Street on charges of public possession of alcohol. Cited and released. Court date July 18.
■ Justin T. Orozco, 26, Woodstock, was arrested June 3 at East Calhoun Street on charges of driving under the influence and failure to reduce speed.
Council members comment
After the Public Comment section, Mayor Mike Turner thanked Woodstock Pride for originating PrideFest and running it each year and pledged the city’s ongoing support for the annual event.
“I’m proud that this community, multiple years ago, under the leadership of (former mayor) Brian Sager, made a commitment … that embraces freedom of choice, tolerance and acceptance.“
Council Member Melissa
Released on notice to appear. Court date June 20.
■ Juvenile, 17, Woodstock, was arrested June 3 at West South Street on charges of possession/consumption of alcohol in city park. Cited and released. Court date July 11.
■ Juvenile, 16, Woodstock, was arrested June 3 at West South Street. on charges of possession of illegal substance in city park. Cited and released. Court date July 11.
■ Juvenile, 17, Woodstock, was arrested June 3 at West South Street on charges of possession of illegal substance in city park. Cited and released. Court date July 11.
■ Thomas W. Gallo, 37, Woodstock, was arrested June 4 at North Madison Street on charges of battery and assault. Released on notice to appear. Court date July 18,
■ Julio E. Lozada, 35, Woodstock, was arrested June 6 at Church Street on charges of disorderly conduct,/breach of peace and criminal damage to property. Released on notice to appear. Court date June 13.
McMahon, who is also president of Woodstock Pride, added her remarks.
“I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you for your unwavering support of Woodstock Pride. Your dedication, enthusiasm and love have made our journey possible and are helping us to create a truly inclusive and vibrant community. Less than two weeks ago nearly 9,000 people came to Woodstock to celebrate and be seen. That is amazing and something that we can all be proud of.
“We have no fear of being canceled
■ Phillip M. Weidner, 40, Woodstock, was arrested June 8 at Golden Avenue on charges of unlawful visitation interference. Cited and released on notice to appear. Court date June 27.
■ Jerman O. Hernandez, 22, Carpentersville, was arrested June 9 at Kimball Avenue on charges of driving while license suspended, driving with one headlamp, wanted on outstanding warrant. Transported to McHenry Co. Jail. Court date June 27.
■ Brett M. Bardi, 25, Woodstock, was arrested June 10 at McHenry Avenue on charges of 2 counts residential burglary, criminal trespass to property, theft under $300, possession of a controlled substance. Transported to McHenry Co. Jail. Court date June 13.
■ Angel E. Meraz. 20, Woodstock, was arrested June 11 at Madison Street on charges of 2 counts of domestic battery, transported to McHenry Co. jail. Court date TBD.
■ Christoper D. Lundsten, 47, Woodstock, was arrested June 11 at Walden Oaks Drive on charges of 2 counts of criminal abuse/neglect of elderly
by the city or the naysayers because we stand on the shoulders of a community that believes in love, acceptance, and the right to be true to oneself.”
McMahon also spoke of the need to rise above the negative social media campaign launched in the weeks leading up to Pride Fest, which was aimed at the event and at her personally. “To those who attempted to spread hate and undermine our efforts – shame on them,” she said. “They will never diminish the strength and resilience of our community.
“We are united, and together we will continue to shine brightly, spreading our message of love and acceptance far and wide.
“Thank you for being part of this journey and for your unwavering support here and every day. Together, we are stronger.”
Council Member Natalie Ziemba finished the discussion with her comments. “Last weekend I was so proud to watch her in her leadership of Pride and all of the events that led up to it,” she said. “It was just magnificent. Melissa, I’m so proud of you and all that you have done. Thank you for being stalwart in your efforts.”
person, reckless conduct. Transported to McHenry Co. Jail. Court date June 12. ■ Elvin J. Martinez Pineda, 22, Harvard, was arrested June 12 at IL Route 14 and Kishwaukee Valley Road on charges of speeding, no valid driver’s license (never issued), improper passing. Released on notice to appear. Court date July 18.
Charges are only accusations of crimes, and defendants are presumed innocent until proved guilty.
Woodstock Fire/Rescue District
EMS calls for June 13-June 19: 77
Fire runs
Electrical wiring/equipment problem: 3
Person in distress: 2
Public service assistance: 7
Cover assignment/Stand by at fire station: 1
Dispatched and canceled en route: 2
Controlled burning: 1
System or detector malfunction: 4
Unintentional system/detector (no fire): 8
Total: 105
INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY EILEEN MILLARD
Members of Woodstock Pride march with a banner thanking sponsors in the 2024 Pride Parade June 9.
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Join us for a revamped McHenry County History Museum Car Show! Come for the car show and stay for our annual Heritage Fair from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 14, at 6422 Main St. in Union. No admission fee to view the cars! 50/50 raffle, door prizes, DJ, and multiple food vendors on site. Judging begins at 11 a.m. Participants of all makes, models, and years are welcome. Preregister at gothistory.org to skip the lines and save $5! The first 75 registered cars will receive a goody bag, dash plaque, and door prize ticket.
Ward Plane, Dairy Promotion Council chairman (left), and Clara Nor, 1967 McHenry County Dairy Princess, welcome guests to a tour of Moo Meadows Farm on Route 14, east of Doty Road. The open house was held to encourage the public to learn more about operating a dairy farm.
Don Peasley Photo Collection, McHenry County Historical Society
OBITUARIES
Gennifer Lynn Johnson, 62
Gennifer Lynn Johnson was born May 17, 1962, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Ronald J. Szego and Linda (Katz) Harper. She passed away on Sunday, June 16, 2024, at JourneyCare Hospice in Barrington, Illinois.
Gennifer graduated from Chagrin Falls High School in 1980. She then attended Slippery Rock College in PA and graduated from Bryan College in TN.
Gennifer Lynn Johnson
Gennifer is survived by her husband Scott, whom she met in Dallas, TX, while she was a nanny and he was in Seminary. They married on May 14, 1988, in Dallas; she is also survived by their children Mick Johnson, Courtney Larsen, Julia Repke, Wyatt Johnson, Hunter Johnson, and Solomon Johnson; her parents Ron (Sue) Szego and Linda Harper; and grandchildren Kaiya, Elianna, and Thias Larsen, Clara and Evan Repke. She was preceded in death by her beloved brother Michael.
Gennifer was a wonderful pastor’s wife from 1990 in churches in Indiana and later in Illinois until her death. She served as an Awana leader, Bible study leader, youth group leader, college/career group leader, and children’s church leader.
When the family moved to Scott’s family farm in 2008, Gennifer was also involved extensively in the farming ventures. She was widely known by many as the face of Brookdale Road Farm, as she ran the stands at various farmer’s markets, like Woodstock and Barrington. She especially loved raising chickens and selling eggs.
She loved all animals, and she would rescue all of them if she could. But most of all she loved Jesus. She accepted
Jesus as her savior during her college days and never looked back.
Gennifer and Scott served and were members at Harvard Bible Church and The Old Bell Tower Church in Sharon, WI.
Visitation was held on Friday, June 21, from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the Harvard Bible Church, 5817 Island Rd, Harvard, IL. The funeral service was at the church on Saturday at 10:00 AM. Burial was at Chemung Cemetery.
For more information call Toynton Funeral Home at 262-275-2171.
Michael J. Krause, 70
Steve, Jon, and Danny. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Jane Krause. All services will be private.
Carol Staiger Ellinghausen, 87
J. Krause
Michael J. Krause, 70, of Woodstock, passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2024, at Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, after suffering injuries from being hit by a car while walking his beloved dog Loki. Loki also perished in the accident. Michael loved travel, philosophy, and is known fondly by all dogs in the neighborhood as the man with the treats. Michael was survived by his wife Lynn; his son, Jamie Norris (Kimberly McCarthy); grandchildren, Paige and Timothy Norris; and four brothers, Matthew,
BUSES
Continued from Page 1
need a special license to operate it.
The administration was proposing these buses as a cost-effective way for teachers or coaches to transport small groups of students to athletic events, music competitions, and other activities.
The bus drivers present opposed the purchase. One of the drivers, Heather Troglia, said, “Teachers will drive the buses. Do they have safety training like we do? Will they have someone there to help them if kids get unruly while they’re driving?” Others also expressed safety concerns, pointing out that most teachers do not have experience in operating vehicles of that size. In addition, the drivers were unhappy about
Carol Staiger Ellinghausen passed away June 16 at Northwestern McHenry Hospital at the age of 87 from complications due to Alzheimers. She was born in Chicago on January 4, 1937, to Louis and Helen Staiger, who had emigrated to the U.S. from Germany in the 1920s. Carol graduated near the top of her class at Taft High School in 1955. She went on to receive a BA degree in elementary education from Valparaiso University and began her career teaching second grade at Parkview School in Morton Grove.
volunteered at numerous institutions, including Lutheran General Hospital, Woodstock Memorial Hospital, South Elementary School Learning Center, the First Congregational Church’s Church Mouse Shop, and the Environmental Defenders. She also tutored Laotian immigrant children and served as treasurer of the Boone Creek Watershed Alliance.
Carol married Ed Ellinghausen in 1960 and they were married for nearly 64 years. She stopped teaching to be a full-time mom when children came along. The family moved to Crystal Lake in 1965 where she worked as the office manager at Ed’s business and
a potential loss of income when teachers drive in situations where they normally would have.
Superintendent Michael Moan told them that he and the board had not been aware of their valid concerns. He said he intended to reach out to transportation union leaders the following day for further discussion. The board voted unanimously to table the motion until a future meeting.
In other business, the board took the following actions:
• Approved the district’s insurance committee’s recommendations for employee medical and dental insurance plans for the upcoming school year. The medical insurance premium will rise 5 percent, with co-payments remaining the same. There will be
Carol enjoyed biking, skiing, tennis, camping, cooking, and gardening. She enjoyed living in the woods of Bull Valley in a house she and Ed designed and built in 1987. Carol spent many happy summer days with Ed sailing on the lakes of the Midwest and enjoyed living on a sailboat in Palmetto, Florida, during the winters.
Carol is survived by her husband, Ed, children Janice Elise Ellinghausen (Don Solarz), Tom Ellinghausen (Katherine), grandchildren Graham Ellinghausen and Dylan Ellinghausen, sister Evelyn Schietzelt, as well as many nieces and nephews.
Celebration of life services will be scheduled by the family in the weeks to come.
Please visit www.davenportfamily. com for more information.
Email obituaries to pr@thewoodstockindependent.com. You may also mail them or drop them woff at 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098.
no changes in the dental plan.
• Received an informational report on the Strategic Plan Endof-the Year Review, including test results that show students surpassing the goals in both reading and math scores.
• Approved minor wording revisions to several district policies. The changes were necessitated by new legislation. They also held a first reading of a new student discrimination policy, also required by a new law.
The board’s next regularly scheduled meeting will be at 7 p.m., Tuesday, July 23, in the Woodstock High School Learning Resources Center.
Michael
Carol Staiger Ellinghousen
Grant deadline sparks debate on project viability Council takes a hard look at ArtSpace
By Eileen Millard NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
A July 22 deadline for an arts grant opportunity turned into a debate at the June 18 City Council meeting on ArtSpace, a nonprofit real estate developer that creates, owns, and operates affordable spaces for artists and creative businesses. The city of Woodstock has been in preliminary planning stages for a Woodstock ArtSpace building for several years.
City staff had asked for direction on what areas to list on an application for a Research in Illinois to Spur Economic Recovery (RISE) Planning Grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, with ArtSpace as one choice on the list.
The grant limit is $2 million and requires Woodstock to add 25% in matching funds. Three possible areas were identified:
• $500,000 toward predevelopment costs for ArtSpace housing in downtown Woodstock. This would also require a firm commitment that Woodstock secures additional funding for the project.
• $500,000 toward public art initiatives across Woodstock, such as the sculpture in the roundabout, murals around the city and funding still needed for the Intergenerational Inclusive Playground in Emricson Park.
• $1 million toward unfunded Opera House “wish list” projects that are not included in the current renovation.
ArtSpace history
Woodstock has done several ArtSpace feasibility studies over the years. The latest plan was for 40 affordable housing apartment units providing a combined workspace/living space for artists and their families. The goal would be to enhance Woodstock’s cultural scene to attract visitors and new residents and benefit the local economy.
Woodstock would be required to donate a building site and pledge $1.2M in additional funding over the scope of the project, some of which could be recovered through TIF reimbursement.
Economic Development Director Garrett Anderson said that Woodstock would not have to provide the $1.2
INDEPENDENT
City-owned property at 313 Short Street is one possible location for an ArtStreet 40-unit affordable housing complex for artists.
A second location (below) is on the former Die Cast site, at Clay and Newell Streets.
million until it had applied for state and federal grant money and tax credits to fund the majority of the project and received pledges of support.
Council divided on ArtSpace
The council debated about how ArtSpace would benefit residents and expressed concerns about committing to a costly, long-term project so soon after the expensive renovation of the Old Courthouse Center.
Council Member Bob Seegers Jr. questioned the large outlay to mostly benefit the 40 families in the building rather than the majority of Woodstock residents. “Not only are you spending the $1.2 to $2 million, you are also giving them the land. To me, it’s a horrible return to the taxpayer.” Council Member Tom Nierman agreed, saying, “We can get a lot more bang for our buck in other avenues.”
Council Member Darrin Flynn was in favor of the project but wondered if having to give the building to the ArtSpace organization would present long-term complications. “I love the concept … (but) we are giving away a piece of land,” he said. “I would like
On hold for now
The mayor directed staff to apply for the $2 million grant to be used for unfunded Opera House projects and public art projects.
Other business:
Council members asked city staff for clarification about a $260,000 change order requested for the $3,394,000 Opera House renovation project. The additional funds are to install “micro piles” for additional support of the weight of the third-story addition to the annex building after recent soil tests indicated a need for additional support.
Since the project is partially funded by grant money that must be spent in 2024, there were time constraints to get the project out for bids in time, said Woodstock Engineering Director Chris Tiedt.“Essentially, the architect used soil boring data … that was obtained at the (time of the) construction of the Stage Left Cafe … to move forward to get the bid documents,” he said. “Meanwhile, they were also concurrently obtaining (new) soil-boring data at the Opera House to see if that (old) soil-boring data was (still) accurate.”
to see us focus grant efforts on … finishing the Opera House, and our upgrades to the Square.”
Council Member Natalie Ziemba disagreed, saying that she “absolutely supported” moving forward on the ArtSpace idea now. She said it would make Woodstock more of a cultural draw and benefit residents in that way. She also noted that it would be worth the work to launch a fundraising campaign to reduce city funding.
Council Member Gordie Tebo said, “We have been spending a lot of money lately. What is the timeline … can we delay it?” Council Member Melissa McMahon agreed. “I too think this needs to hit a pause for the ArtSpace,” she said. “I think it absolutely needs to happen at some point. But getting some grant money for the unfunded Opera House (projects), getting the Opera House to peak performance, is going to bring in more art … bring in more art donors … ”
Mayor Mike Turner said, “We are not rejecting ArtSpace … (but) this pathway … doesn’t represent a realistic opportunity for us. We’ve got to find a way to fund it differently.”
Comprehensive Plan, Aug. 6
The public hearing for the adoption of Woodstock’s new Comprehensive Plan was moved to the August 6 City Council meeting. The final draft, approved by the Plan Commission on May 30, can be found on the city website, woodstockil.gov, under the “Comprehensive Plan” tab. The plan was last updated in 2008 and includes areas such as: land use; housing; economic development; transportation; city services; tourism; and natural areas
HUBS agreement update
The council approved an amendment to Phase 1 of the redevelopment agreement with Chicago Hubs Realty for senior affordable housing apartments at the former Die Cast site. The February 6, 2024, agreement specified a five-story building with 70 units and approximately 90,000 square feet of building space. That has been scaled back to a four-story building with 55 units and 70,000 square feet of space, with economic factors cited as the reason.
PHOTOS BY EILEEN MILLARD
Woodstock, IL • 1987
Popular use of tax dollars that resurfaces every year
Probably no report in The Independent is read as well as the annual list of streets that will be resurfaced, repaired and/or rebuilt during the summer construction season in the city’s annual enhanced streets improvement program.
The five-year, $55-million program gives Woodstock residents a fairly quick bang for their tax buck as the city works toward improving every street. The problem, of course, with a five-year program is that you might have to wait a few years before the city gets to your street, but the program is nearing an end as city leaders look to finish this major program to improve streets.
If you missed the list in last week’s edition of The Independent, you can check the city’s website, woodstockil.gov, under street resurfacing, to look at the 30 street segments that are targeted for this year’s program. The work is scheduled to be completed by October, weather permitting. Look for construction updates on the city website. Unlike some city spending programs, residents get a quick return on their tax
Thirty Woodstock street sections will be under construction the summer construction season.
dollars with smoother streets to take to work or shopping.
Mayor Mike Turner often notes the No. 1 complaint he hears from residents involves street conditions. Let us know when/if that changes, mayor.
In addition to improving those streets and adjacent curbs and gutters, the city plans the westside Pleasant Street Water Main Replacement Project (from Mary Anne Street to Dane Street), which is now being bid out. Construction updates will be posted on the city website separately for this project. Once that work is finished, the portion of Pleasant Street affected will be rebuilt. In addition to rebuilding that part of Pleasant, Pleasant Street from the northwest dead end to Mary Anne Street and Dane Street from Pleasant to Oak Street will be resurfaced.
With one more year to go in the 5-year program, the end is in sight. If your street still needs attention, notify your City Council representative.
Happy motoring.
» YOUR VIEW
Reader disappointed at lack of coverage for Pride Fest
Two years ago I wrote to you about the minimal coverage that Pride Fest received, and was pleased the next week to see expanded coverage. Last year the event, one of the biggest that Woodstock hosts, received good coverage.
So last week I was surprised to see that the only coverage that this important, vibrant, and fun-filled event received was a photo in an editorial about a parking garage for the city. Ever
hopeful, I searched this week’s edition, but found none.
I am appalled. Appalled that the Independent would ignore this celebration of diversity and inclusion. Appalled that the organizers, volunteers, participants, residents and visitors who lined our streets, filled the Square, and brought visibility (and yes, dollars!) to our wonderful town should be slighted. If this is an indication of the priorities of the new ownership, I am deeply concerned.
Jeanne Gropp-Wedig Woodstock
CORRECTIONS/CLARIFICATIONS
n In the June 19 edition of The Independent, an article provided by the Environmental Defenders on page 9 was incorrectly bilined as written by Janet Dovidio.
n Also in the June 19 edition, the Business Buzz article on page 14 incorrectly identified the owner of Silver Prairie Natural Soap as Annette Gatt. It should have been Annette Gast.
We regret the errors.
» OUR POLICY
n The Woodstock Independent welcomes letters of general interest to the community.
n We reserve the right to edit for clarity, content, and length.
n Include a phone number for verification of authorship only.
n Please limit letters to 400 words.
n Email letters to pr@thewoodstock independent.com, or mail or drop them off at our office, 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098.
n For more information, call 815-338-8040.
INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO
Let’s be a place other towns want to emulate
The May 9, 2024 edition of The Independent reported that Mayor Turner and City Manager Stelford’s dream for Woodstock’s Route 47 corridor is to become “the next Randall Road.”
I’m inviting our mayor and city manager to clarify their vision. What is it about Randall Road that would improve and appeal to Woodstock residents and visitors?
If you’ve driven on Randall Road, you know that it may be newer, but it is not a pleasant user experience. Drivers pack the lanes, either racing past the seemingly endless stream of stores or puttering along trying to find their shopping destination. And what are they driving through? Block after block of commerce that’s indistinguishable from any other suburban shopping district. There is no culture, no sense of belonging and nothing memorable; just non-local corporate outlets centered around consumption. The goal is to get in and get out--no need to explore, linger, get to know anyone or have an enjoyable experience.
If you’ve driven along Route 47 in Woodstock, you know that we need to improve the experience of driving, dining and shopping along the
entrance to our city. We could also use the influx of income from businesses to help fund city services rather than overburdening homeowners to foot that bill.
In the 1970s, residents of Galena, Illinois came together to oppose a plan to raze historic buildings and modernize their downtown district. Today, the historic heart of town is lauded as an example of intentional growth. Our situation is a bit different. While Route 47 may not have the historic charm of Galena’s main street, it does offer us an opportunity to decide what kind of experience we want to offer people as they travel along the gateway to our city. In the proposed comprehensive plan for Woodstock, residents say they want the businesses along Route 47 to be improved and better maintained.
What if we valued a wider range of shopping options and experiences that includes convenient national chains and smaller, local businesses in a shopping district that adds to, not extracts from, the culture of our unique community? While the convenience and low prices that come with national chains are beneficial, we could also strive to welcome local and regional businesses, using our new incubator program and our city’s expanded marketing team to attract unique offerings and help them flourish.
The local small businesses we’re lucky to have along the Route 47
» LOCAL CONTACT INFO FOR 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
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
corridor now, including Holzlager Brewing Company, Sofie’s Whiskey & Wine and Your Sister’s Tomato, will need strategic support during and after the construction phase. What are we doing to encourage them to stay and be a part of an exciting and unique plan for growth? We should have a plan to entice businesses like theirs to choose Woodstock.
What if we took the special charm and culture of the Square and extended it to the spaces leading to it? There is space for mixeduse housing, arts, culture, entertainment and parks along Route 47 and a network of bike paths and a hotel are mentioned in the city’s proposed comprehensive plan. Are we giving any thought to how to incorporate these and other amenities along the expanded roadway to make locals and visitors alike want to linger here instead of driving through on their way somewhere else?
I urge city leadership and City Council to consider a greater vision for the gateway to our city. I also invite residents to let City Council and city leadership know what you want for Route 47. Growth and change are coming to Woodstock, and they can be good for a community like ours if we set forth a clear vision to stand out as a special destination.
Toni McLellan is a marketing copywriter, humorist and longtime resident of Woodstock.
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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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, Amanda Burr, Lisa Kunzie
EDITORIAL CARTOONIST Jim Mansfield
PROOFREADER Don Humbertson
CIRCULATION
Beverly Meuch, Dennis Micheletti, Bill Schwerdtfeger, John Wickham
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Toni McLellan Guest Column
Hours: Mon-Thurs 10-6, Fri 10-5, Sat 10-4
Come see our large selection of in stock carpet and vinyl ready for install!
Hera was born at Helping Paws and raised by the the staff and volunteers. All her siblings and mother have been adopted and sweet Hera is the last one left. The smallest of her siblings, she makes up for it in spunk. She loves playing in water, and loves everyone she meets. Running in the yard and going for walks are some of her favorite activities. While still working on her potty training, she’s a smart girl and learns very quickly. If you think Hera sounds like the perfect fit for your family, call Helping Paws to make an appointment to see her!
Schools
‘Teachers are nice and we can eat snacks’
D-200
summer school offers students multiple opportunities
By Caryl Dierksen NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
Noemi is smiling as she walks down the hallway to her summer school classroom at Creekside Middle School. The incoming sixthgrader is working on her science, math, and literacy skills to prepare for a smooth transition to middle school. And she is okay with being there. “The teachers are nice, and we can eat snacks while we do our work,” she said. “And we don’t have to come on Friday.”
Noemi is one of more than 500 students enrolled in Woodstock School District 200’s wide-ranging summer school program. More than 35 in-person classes are in session for students ranging from preschoolers through age 22. In addition, high school students can earn credit with more than 20 choices of online classes.
An overview of the program
Woodstock North High School assistant principal Jennifer Spear, a co-principal of the summer program, explained the options available to students. In the accelerated program, they can take a required class early, take a class that didn’t fit into their schedule
during the regular school year, or earn academic credit with an enrichment class. Also, students can recover credit for a class that,
Drop in on some classes...
■ At WHS, Carolina Giraldo is teaching Dual Credit Psychology to a group of “15 top-notch kids” who will earn both high school and college credit for the class. On this morning, she is teaching a “very scientific” unit on the biology of the brain In this intensive course, she will use a combination of lecture, informal and formal class discussions, and group projects.
■ Also at WHS, Elon Shafer is teaching Jump Start English to incoming freshmen. He describes his class as “a mix of summer camp and academic skills.” His two main goals are to
for any reason, they did not pass during the school year. Or, like Noemi, they can get a jump start
See SUMMER Page 10
strengthen skills they will need in Freshman English and to familiarize them with the high school. As we arrive, they are leaving the classroom to walk the building and find the commons, learning resource center, guidance office, and other places they will need. When they return, they will continue working in groups as they research and write a paper on the topic: Is the Internet addictive?
■ At Creekside, Tucker Wilson is teaching seventh grade science. Students work in groups to build towers using spaghetti and miniature marshmallows. The goal is to build them to support as much weight as possible.
COLLEGE CURRENTS
NIU announces spring 2024 graduation list
Over 2,200 students received their degrees from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb in May. Included among the graduates were the following local students from Woodstock: Joe Chase, Bachelor of Science, Mathematics - Mathematics Education; Destinee Dankemeyer, Master of Science, Applied Human Development & Family Sciences: Marriage and Family Therapy; Kari Mongold, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology; Mitchell Montanaro, Bachelor of Science, Engineering Technology-Industrial Management and Technology; Vanessa Olandese, Bachelor of Science, Accountancy; Autumn Pierce, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology; Jacqueline Ramirez, Bachelor of Science in Education, Elementary Education: Bilingual/ESL.
From Wonder Lake: Devin Belden, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Art Studio and Design - Design and Media Arts; Edgar Carbajal, Bachelor of Science, Computer Science - Computational Software; Elizabeth Hurdle, Bachelor of Science, Human Development & Family Science: Family Relations, Prevention and Wellness; Andrew Iglesia, Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering; Kevin Joly, Master of Science, Family Nurse Practitioner; Kelsey Punzio, Master of Science in Education, Literacy Education: English as a Second Language/Bilingual Education; Matthew Rossi, Bachelor of Science, Chemistry-Biochemistry; and Kendall Vasquez, Bachelor of Arts, Psychology.
Local students named to Missouri State dean’s list
Cheyanne Bierman and Jadyn Wohlhart, of Woodstock, were named to the dean’s list at Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo.. Students who attain academic excellence with at least 12 credit hours during the spring semester and a GPA of 3.50 or higher obtain this recognition.
INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER Elon Shafer teaches Jump Start English to incoming freshmen.
SUMMER
on subjects or skills before beginning a new grade. In addition, special education students can continue their learning into the summer with Extended School Year classes that offer individualized instruction.
One requirement common to all courses is excellent attendance. Classes meet up to four hours per day, four mornings per week, for four to six weeks. Spear said that missing one day is like missing a full week during the school year. If a student is absent three days, they are usually dropped from the class.
On a positive note, Spear said, summer school offers advantages less common during the regular year. The atmosphere can be more informal. Classes are often smaller. Students also have more opportunities to interact with their teachers and to receive oneon-one instruction. And with the longer classes, there is more opportunity for group projects
and for homework to be completed with the teacher present to help. Because of these advantages, students are almost always successful. Spear said that more than 95 percent of the high school students earn their credit.
Tamera Tillman, summer school principal for the middle school program, is equally pleased with the results for the younger students. She gave special credit to the 50 classroom associates in the special education classrooms. She said, “If we didn’t have their support, we wouldn’t be as effective as we are. And the transportation staff is wonderful too. We need the full team district-wide.”
Tucker Wilson’s seventh graders display data tables they prepared as part of a tower-building activity. Pictured, from left, are Maggie KellyEvertsen, Kimberly Cruz, Ghafoor Murtaza, Ethan Carreno, and Hailee Canterbury.
Drop in on some classes...
■ In the WHS learning center, Michelle Gerlinger is overseeing 66 students taking online Edmentum courses. The students in credit recovery are present, working on their computers where she can help them. Those taking accelerated online classes are working at home but are encouraged to come in for help if needed. Gerlinger continually monitors the progress of each
student online.
■ At Prairiewood, Judy Rausch is teaching 11 fourth and fifth graders a replacement curriculum to bring their skills up to grade level. Many of her activities, both indoor and outdoor, are related to a theme of the summer Olympics. She makes summer school fun, but there is serious learning going on as she and three associates work with the students.
INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY CARYL DIERKSON
A & E
Jazz on the Square musicians, including Colleen Gilmartin, jam June 21 at State Left Café.
The monthly jazz night is held on the third Friday of each month at 8 p.m.
‘Jazz feels so much more personal’
Take a peek at the monthly Jazz on the Square at Stage Left Café
By Amanda Burr NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
On June 21, Stage Left Cafe came alive with a full house of jazz fans and musicians through the longlived organization of Jazz on the Square. The night kicked off with the house band who have been together for a mere two weeks, including David Stahl on the keyboard, Jason Dziedzic on electric guitar, Riley Nicholas on bass guitar, Jim Pospilion on saxophone, and Steve Past on the drums. Dziedzic, the youngest member, played out some intricate improvisation, while Past played the entire night with a funky, steady swing-beat.
“I listen to a lot of jazz,” Past said. “I collected records of the greatest jazz musicians while the other kids collected baseball cards.”
Soon after the opening songs, the volunteering musicians stepped in by the order in which they signed up. Two or three at a time replaced the house band members who played their same instrument. Then
they collectively picked three song themes out of the books on stage and began making art. The band, along with the guest musicians, would launch with the theme, then slip into improvised solos which were each met with approving applause from the audience.
The atmosphere of soulful music was “euphoric and not just because of the musicians, but the people too. There was such a strong feeling of community and support from the audience”, as described by one of the audience members. The audience not only varied in ages, but so did the musicians themselves, ranging from high school students to retirees, yet the entire cafe was seamlessly united by a common love for live jazz.
Most of these players had never even met before, but nonetheless, they all came to Stage Left with their instrument and courage to make music together. About ten brave souls signed up to play; their fee was donated to the organization for charity. The musicians played
trumpet, saxophone, flute, and piano, and Colleen Gilmartin graced the audience with her singing.
“It’s all about having fun and jazz feels so much more personal to play compared to concert band music,” said a participant named Michael, one of the opening guestmusicians who plays flute and tenor saxophone. He expressed that he has been participating in Jazz on the Square for nearly three years. Jazz on the Square is firm on their stance of giving all musicians — beginner to advanced — a safe, sup portive, and open space to play on improvisation.
Ron Levin, the administrator for this 501 (c)(3) charitable organization, welcomed each and every musician as he could be seen chat ting at several different tables throughout the night. Levin also occasionally steps in for guitar and plays for the Reunion Jazz Orches tra, which is made up of alumni from Notre Dame High School who band together for the Notre Dame Fundraiser every year. He is very
fond of donating to the community through his musical talent while also giving others that same opportunity to give back too. This organization, Jazz on the Square, has been running for the past 22 years on the third Friday of each month and is still going strong.
INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY AMANDA BURR
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office May 14 to 21 .
■ Residence at 10010 Country Club Road, Woodstock, was sold by Anna D. Shapiro, Woodstock, to The Jeffery R.S.Tipps Revocable Living Trust, Woodstock, for $1,200,000.
■ Residence at 1320 Infanta Court, Woodstock, was sold by Clark Fischbach, Winter Park, Fla., to Christopher Jozwiak, Woodstock, for $564,900.
■ Residence 286 Macintosh Ave., Woodstock, was sold by Michael D. Knop, Harvard, to Carol E. Iden, Woodstock, for $226,000.
■ Vacant land at 2129 Greenview Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Greenview Homes LLC, Lake Geneva, Wis., to Steven Gnech, Punta Gorda, Fla., for $20,000.
■ Residence at 316 Burbank Ave., Woodstock, was sold by McKenna A. Ritthaler, Woodstock, to David George Ritthaler, Woodstock, for $210,000.
■ Residence at 1528 Walnut Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Andrew Michael Foote, Wonder Lake, to Crystal Dolan, Woodstock, for $210,000.
■ Residence at 2301 Serenity Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Barbara Zarate, Hebron, to Javier Cuna Cruz, Woodstock, for $337,900.
■ Residence at 1609 W. Halma Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Nicholas P. Campoli, Harvard, to Alan F. Soell, Woodstock, for $330,000.
■ Vacant land at Lot 5, Block 27 Dorr Road and Ridge Drive, Wonder Lake, was sold by Ronald R. Rivenburgh, Wonder Lake, to A & J Properties, Hoffman Estates, for $10,000.
Doughnuts return bringing smiley faces
By the Dozen opens its third location in former Swiss Maid Bakery
By Susan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
The first customers simply could not wait for By the Dozen to officially open at 6 a.m. on June 18.
“We had people looking in the door at 5:30 a.m., so we let them in,” said Brent Nelson, the bakery’s owner.
One, he said, was a man out for his morning run. The other customer was on his way to the pool to swim laps.
Having sat vacant for almost five years after Swiss Maid Bakery closed at the end of a nearly 50-year run, the retail space at 110 N. Benton Street is once again filled with the aromas of doughnuts, muffins, coffeecakes, breads, pies, and cakes.
All in the families
The Stricker family operated Swiss Maid Bakery, with production and
retail in Harvard and a second retail outlet in Woodstock. But after the Strickers sold the business in 2018, it lasted just a little over a year under the new owner.
John Stricker, owner of Practical Baker Inc. and Arrow Aluminum Manufacturing in Harvard, was reluctant to see the family business die. In the second half of 2019, while bankruptcy proceedings worked their way through court, he talked Nelson into partnering to reopen the bakery.
Nelson is a fourth-generation baker. His family owned “doughnut shops,” he said, with cakes and muffins coming later.
His great-grandmother opened a Spudnut doughnut shop in Loves Park in 1954. Nelson’s grandfather, Glen Spiess, opened a Donutland franchise, then owned Apollo Donuts. Nelson’s mother, Martha Nelson, moved the bakery to
Machesney Park in 1994, renaming it By the Dozen.
By purchasing Swiss Maid, By the Dozen became a full-line bakery with bread and coffeecakes. Once the Harvard facility was up and
INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER
By the Dozen owner Brent Nelson holds one of the chocolate-frosted square doughnuts that the bakery will sell only at its Woodstock Square location.
Woodstock Square.
running, Nelson’s employees began making gourmet popcorn in the Machesney Park bakery.
Always part of the plan
As the process of opening By the Dozen in Swiss Maid’s Harvard location was in the works, the COVID19 pandemic hit. Nelson was forced into making the wrenching decision of laying off 34 Machesney Park employees. Most, he said, gratefully, returned when By the Dozen could reopen.
The one advantage of the shutdown was that Nelson and his team could remodel and update the Harvard baking plant and shop. On December 1, 2020, By the Dozen opened at 104 E. Brainard Street.
“[Reopening] Woodstock was always part of the plan,” Nelson said.
At the time, he thought the Woodstock location would reopen six months after Harvard’s opening, but various factors extended that timeline.
“Growing and expanding was a whole new thing,” Nelson said. “Staffing and training employees was a big deal.”
He described cake decorating, especially, as “a lost art,” making it difficult to find those specialized workers.
Now, he said, he has good managers in Machesney Park and Harvard who relieve him of much of the dayto-day burden.
In early May, By the Dozen found its Woodstock manager in local resident Brianna Simpson, who trained in Machesney Park.
Simpson, who has a background in food service, lives just five minutes from her job on Benton Street.
“I’ve always wanted to work in a bakery,” she said.
Having grown up in Woodstock, she remembers one Swiss Maid specialty - sold now at By the Dozenvery well.
“Smiley-face cookies are my favorite thing,” Simpson said.
The opening day crowd
By the Dozen’s Woodstock opening coincided with the Tuesday Farmers’ Market on the Square, bringing in a steady stream of customers.
Soraya Katoozian has been a Woodstock resident for four years. When she previously lived in Island
attention
Lake, she would drive her children to Woodstock for the market and a visit to the bakery. In line to buy a sunrise muffin, she shared her delight at By the Dozen’s opening.
“Woodstock is becoming such a cool food place,” she said. “It’s not good for my waistline.”
Nelson smiled as the bell on By the Dozen’s door continued to ring in the nine-o’clock hour, signaling each new customer.
“The kids are coming in now,” he said. “That’s when it starts to get fun.”
Kate Pollack of Woodstock stepped up to the counter with her four children.
“Summer and doughnuts go together for us,” she said. “We’re taking some to our cousins.”
Oliver, age 8, chose a cinnamon roll; Henry, age 5, opted for a vanilla longjohn; Max, age 4, picked out a chocolate longjohn; and Ellie, age 2, was content with half of a chocolate longjohn.
Shortly after the Pollack family was waited on, Kelly Anderson of Woodstock got in line with her mom, Sharon. Both are teachers now on summer vacation.
“I got mom out of bed this morning,” said Kelly, who surprised Sharon with the news that the bakery was open again.
For Kelly, the day brought back happy memories of when her dad, Mike, would buy boxes of doughnuts on her birthday and her brother Bob’s birthday, to share with their classmates and teachers at St. Mary
A soft opening
Nelson said that opening the Woodstock By the Dozen means at least a 25% increase in production. The soft opening is intended to
gauge how much product will sell at the new location.
Everything sold in Woodstock is made from scratch in Harvard. While the bakeries are open Tuesday through Saturday, the baking continues seven days a week, with only Thanksgiving and Christmas as off days.
For Woodstock, Nelson made the glazed and chocolate-frosted glazed doughnuts in the shape of a square as a tip of the bakery’s hat to the Woodstock Square. Only the Woodstock location will carry the square doughnuts.
“It’s been a great morning,” Nelson said. “There have been a lot of positive responses.”
Kate Pollack’s four children pay close
as Mom tells manager Brianna Simpson their selections. From left, Oliver, age 8; Max, age 4; and Henry, age 5. Kate holds Ellie, age 2. School.
Community
Warp Corp founder Rob Mutert and his son Clay, the head of business operations, in the shop at 114 N. Benton St.
Participants in the 2023 Buss Fest
‘We have a summer of free, positive activities’ Warp Corps has no shortage of activities for local teens at 114 N. Benton St.
By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
Summer is upon us. Activity opportunities for local teens await at a business located at 114 N. Benton Street on the Woodstock Square.
Warps Corps is a skateboard shop, music studio, and teen hangout that gives kids a positive place to go where they can have fun in a welcoming and safe environment.
Founder Rob Mutert owned and operated the Warp Skatepark in Woodstock and Lake in the Hills for seven years. His extensive experience in working with youth allowed him to make a positive difference in their lives. He no longer owns a skateboard park and moved on to opening Warp Corps in 2019 at its present location on Benton Street. He retained the name “Warp” since it was familiar to the community. This new space serves as a safe and nonjudgmental space offering many activities throughout the week as well as extra adventure trips through the summer.
“We offer a place for gathering that is accepting of everyone and possibly provides a vehicle for change.” Mutert said. “We have put together a summer of free positive activities. We recently formed
a youth advisory committee whose members will determine ways for youth to learn about leadership opportunities and become more involved in the community.”
Lots for teens to do
Teens can enjoy free action adventures on Mondays, open music jams on Tuesdays, health and fitness events on Wednesdays, book club on Thursday and art workshops every Friday. The annual Warp Corps Max Happy Fest took place June 1 in McHenry. Several hundred guests enjoyed the free music, skateboarding, and art festival.
Several upcoming action adventures include rock climbing, art on the farm, kayaking, a trampoline park, and an Agri learning center. These outings fill fast and are limited to a specific number of participants. Transportation is provided. Spontaneous adventures such as Geocaching, bowling, movies, and an escape room happen periodically. Check the Warp Corps calendar for details.
The underlying mission
Mutert said, “Our mission is simple: prevention through engagement. We have creative, encouraging, and positive programs embracing individuality to tackle substance use
disorder, mental health issues, and homelessness.”
In addition to supporting youth programs, Warp Corps has a street outreach team of two full-time and one part-time persons who drive around the community every Friday and offer information about helpful agencies. The team helps anywhere from 10-30 people on a given day. This recently included an 83-year old woman.
“These efforts are so important,”
Mutert added. “In 2017 alone there were 79 overdose deaths and 39 suicides in McHenry County.”
The nonprofit has several ways of financially supporting its work with youth, drug addicts, and homeless persons. At its location, personnel sell Warp Corps’ own brand of coffee and invite anyone to come in and sample a cup. The shop houses its own screen printing business that produces custom products. They recently printed the shirt for Woodstock’s Pride Week celebration.
The group has received many grants for its mental health programs including support from the McHenry County Mental Health Board. Warp Corps has had added exposure through news stories and documentaries about them on News Nation, the Northwest Herald and ABC7.
“We have creative and positive programs,” Mutert continued. “We provide productive ways to fill free time and offer support for those facing challenges.”
The final line on Warp Corps’ website is “Help us prevent suicide, substance abuse disorder and homelessness in 2024.”
For information and a calendar of events, visit www.warpcorps.org or send an email to april@warpcorps. org.
COURTESY PHOTOS
Myk Perez demonstrates skateboarding skills.
The Woodstock Independent’s alert Photo Detectives quickly responded to our request for names to go with those in the photo at the July 25, 1999, groundbreaking at the Assembly of God Church, 1201 Dean St. Reader Jeff Calvert emailed a photo of our newspaper page with the names superimposed
IN BRIEF
WHS class of 2004 to celebrate 20 years Oct. 4
The Woodstock High School class of 2004 is planning its 20-year reunion Friday, Oct. 4, to coincide with the school’s homecoming parade and football game.
More information be found at visit whs2004reunion.wordpress.com.
Fox Valley Rocketeers to host meeting, launches
The Fox Valley Rocketeers, are hosting their July virtual meeting Monday, July 1, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. via GoogleMeet. The club is also hosting sport model rocketry launches Saturdays, July 13 and 29, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Davis Road Park, 800 Davis Road, Woodstock.
For further information, go to www.foxvalleyrocketeers.org for a map to flying fields, launch safety protocol, and latest launch information.
NOTE: CHANGE OF VENUE
The 2024 Miss Woodstock pageant will be held at Woodstock High School
over all of the subjects. Jeff said that he went to church with those pictured, and that “most have passed on to be with the Lord.”
From left, Robert and Beverly Rhead; Margrit and Andre Witschi; Dr. Johnny Ashburn, pastor; Shirley and Harold Garrison; Edwin and Loeta Gibbs; Cuma Justice: and Irene and Norman
Community meeting on the beautification of Route 47
The city of Woodstock invites residents to a community meeting to discuss the beautification of Route 47 in conjunction with the upcoming road widening by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The meeting will be held on Thursday, June 27, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Offsides Sports Bar and Grill, 680 S. Eastwood Drive.
The city is seeking community support for a grant application to IDOT’s Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. If awarded, the funds will be used for streetscape improvements beyond IDOT’s expansion of the roadway including:
• Decorative roadway and pedestrian lighting that replicates the historic charm of the Square.
• Trees, shrubs, and plantings to address environmental concerns.
•Stamped concrete at crossings to improve pedestrian safety and more.
• City representatives will be on hand to present details about the proposed enhancements and the grant application. Community members can share their thoughts and ask questions.
Sass.
Jeanette DeVogelaere wrote to say that Cuma Justice was the DeVogelaere family’s dear friend. “She and husband Lloyd could walk to church from their home on Mitchell St.,” DeVogelaere said.
-Susan W. Murray
Alan Hafferkamp Blake Hafferkamp Brittany Hafferkamp
Happenings
MOVIES IN THE PARK ‘FLUBBER’
Woodstock Square
26
WEDNESDAY
KARAOKE NIGHT
Stage Left Café
125 W. Van Buren St.
7 to 9 p.m.
woodstockoperahouse.com
WOODSTOCK CITY BAND
Park in the Square
“For Kids from One to Ninety-Two”
Ice cream social
7 p.m.
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.
MISS WOODSTOCK 2024 SCHOLARSHIP PAGEANT
Woodstock High School
501 W. South St.
7 p.m.
‘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
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
28 FRIDAY
ORIGINAL OPEN MIC NIGHT
Stage Left Café
125 W. Van Buren St.
7 p.m.
offsquaremusic.org
‘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
29 SATURDAY
WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET
Woodstock Square
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
woodstockfarmersmarket.org
Music: TBA
‘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
BEST LAID PLANSA MURDER MYSTERY PARTY
Stage Left Café
To submit calendar items, email
125 W. Van Buren St.
7 p.m.
$25. Add on options: Charcuterie box, $12. Dessert box, $10 offsquaremusic.org
‘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
JULY
2 TUESDAY
WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET
Woodstock Square
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
woodstockfarmersmarket.org
Music: TBA
WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL
Council Chambers, City Hall
121 W. Calhoun St.
7 p.m.
woodstockil.gov
3 WEDNESDAY
WOODSTOCK CITY BAND
Park in the Square
“From Coast to Coast” Ice cream social 7 p.m.
KARAOKE NIGHT
Stage Left Café
125 W. Van Buren St.
7 to 9 p.m. woodstockoperahouse.com
4 THURSDAY
INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKS
Emricson Park
1313 Kishwaukee Valley Road Gates open at 5 p.m.
6 SATURDAY
WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET
Woodstock Square
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
woodstockfarmersmarket.org
Music: TBA
SHAKESPEARE IN THE SQUARE
“A Bit O’ The Bard’ Woodstock Square 2 p.m.
OSCAR MIKE FOURTH ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE RIDE
Woodstock Harley-Davidson 2235 S. Eastwood Dr. 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CHILL MURRAY COMEDY SHOW
Stage Left Café
125 W. Van Buren St. 8 to 10 p.m. $15 online, $20 at the door
7 SUNDAY
OFF SQUARE MUSIC PRESENTS SUNDAYS ON THE SQUARE
Featuring South for Winter Woodstock Square 5 to 7 p.m.
Resurrection Catholic Church
8 MONDAY
COFFEE WITH THE CHIEF
Woodstock Police Department 656 Lake Ave. 7 p.m. 815-338-6787
9 TUESDAY
WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET
Woodstock Square
8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
woodstockfarmersmarket.org
Music: TBA
10 WEDNESDAY
WOODSTOCK CITY BAND
Park in the Square
“Passport, Please!” Ice cream social 7 p.m.
KARAOKE NIGHT
Stage Left Café
125 W. Van Buren St.
7 to 9 p.m.
woodstockoperahouse.com
11 THURSDAY
SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB TRIVIA USA
Stage Left Café
125 W. Van Buren St.
7 p.m. woodstockoperahouse.com
MOVIES IN THE PARK ‘HOW TO TRAIN YOUR DRAGON’ Woodstock Square
7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
FLASHBACKS
35 years ago – 1989
■ Opposition was growing as McHenry County officials continued the search for a new landfill location within the county.
■ Jenny Beckel was crowned Miss Woodstock 1989. Lisa Bottcher was Miss Congeniality and first runner-up. Amy Pinn was second runner-up, and Kristie Carlson was Miss Photogenic.
30
years ago –1994
■ The Square’s 150th anniversary was celebrated with a parade, concerts, beard contest, retail promotions, and other events.
■ Organizers for Woodstock’s annual Fourth of July celebration announced there would not be a fireworks show, citing concerns that funding for the Square’s sesquicentennial celebration would cut into donations needed to purchase fireworks.
■ The Woodstock Municipal Pool was dedicated and renamed Peters Pool in recognition of Dick Peters, who had been pool director for 29 years.
25 years ago – 1999
■ Jessica Skozek was crowned Miss Woodstock 1989. Valerie Powers was first runner-up, and Tiffany Lafontaine was named Miss Congeniality.
■ Because road construction and other infrastructure repairs and improvements were causing major traffic delays, city staff was suggesting drivers look for alternate routes through town.
■ Animal Hospital of Woodstock added dental care for dogs to its services.
20 years ago – 2004
■ Woodstock Retail Center, at the intersection of Country Club Road and Route 47, welcomed a new Hallmark store, a Washington Mutual Bank branch, and a Hollywood Video outlet.
■ Turning Point was seeking other funding options after the state of Illinois delayed payment of money that had been budgeted for the organization.
15 years ago – 2009
■ The Woodstock Plan Commission
voted 3-2 to recommend annexation of 7.72 acres of land along Lily Pond Road. The parcel would be given the same special-use permit as the 200 acres of adjacent land owned by Merryman Excavation – gravel extraction. At the time, some of the land was to eventually be used for a minor league baseball stadium, county fairgrounds, and, possibly, a Metra station.
■ Nearly two-thirds of the about 3,000 graduates of high schools in McHenry County applied to McHenry County College as part of its Promise program. The Promise program offered free tuition to each graduate who chose to attend MCC full time and work toward the completion of a two-year associate’s degree.
■ Kolze’s Corner Gardens was celebrating its 60th anniversary. The family owned business that was started by Bob Kolze, when he was 10 years old, moved from Palatine to the corner of Route 176 and Dean Street Road in 1996.
10 years ago – 2014
■ Executives at Brown Printing Company, Woodstock, told
their 550 employees the company’s 500,000-square-foot-facility on McConnell Road would shut down by the end of September. Brown had been recently acquired as part of a $100-million deal with Wisconsin-based Quad/Graphics.
■ Chloe Harvey was crowned Miss Woodstock 2014. Claire Child was first runner-up and Miss Congeniality, and Morgan Ammirati was second runnerup and Miss Photogenic.
■ The Woodstock Independent’s editorial and news team topped the Illinois Press Association’s Best of the Press contest for newspapers in its class for the fourth consecutive year and for the 13th time.
5 years ago – 2019
■ Grace Fellowship Church, 200 Cairns Court, celebrated its 25th anniversary with a worship service and reception.
■ The annual Gavers Community Cancer Foundation charter fishing trip on Lake Michigan netted $12,000 for cancer awareness, education, and research. The tournament, which was the brainchild of charter boat captain Alan Johnson of Rainmaker Sport Fishing, Kenosha, Wis., had grown in 10 years
JUNE 29, 1994 –Volunteers who comprise the Woodstock Little League Board are: kneeling, left to right, David Davis, Bob Brasile, president Tom Brink, and Bob Stroh; standing, Don Peasley, Chuck Duhai, Jim Maggio, Jim Weith, and Dwaney Raney. Not pictured are Mike Palmquist, Dave Pierce, and Shonda Skelton. The league, now in its 41st season, has 536 players.
from a boat or two to 12 boats with 70 participants.
■ Owners of Ethereal Confections were eyeing a mid-July opening at their new location, 140 Cass St. Co-owners Sara Miller, Mary Ervin, and Michael Ervin had added total renovation of the old Elks Building to the running of their successful café and craft chocolate shop. New to their enterprise would be an event space and the Emerson and Oliver, a speakeasy.
1 year ago – 2023
■ Owner Rachel Hand opened Grove House Market, a home décor store with vintage items, furniture, and accessories, at 105 E. Judd St.
■ Dangerous air quality from Canadian wildfires blanketed much of the Midwest, forcing the weekly Woodstock City Band concert from its usual outdoor venue at the Park in the Square to the Opera House.
■ The Woodstock Dolphins Swim Team celebrated 60 years of empowering young people to be champions in life through excellence in swimming. The 2024 swim club had more than 100 swimmers.
INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO BY DON PEASLEY
PUBLIC NOTICES
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, June 19, 2024, June 26, 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 S. DRIFTWOOD TRAIL MCHENRY, IL 60050.
Dated: JUNE 3, 2024
/s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk)
(Published in The Woodstock Independent June 12, 2024, June 19, 2024, June 26, 2024)L11806
PUBLIC NOTICE
IN THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, CIRCUIT COURT
MCHENRY COUNTY
PUBLICATION NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE (ADULT)
Request of JASMINE PERIGRINA BALDRIDGE
Case No. 2024MR000091
There will be a court hearing on my Request to change my name from: JASMINE PERIGRINA BALDRIDGE
To the new name of: JASMINE PEREGRINE MARTIN
The court date will be held on August 6, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. at 2200 N. Seminary Ave. Woodstock, McHenry County in Courtroom TBD.
Dated at Woodstock, IL June 7, 2024
/s/ Jasmine Perigrina Baldridge (Published in The Woodstock Independent June 19, 2024, June 26, 2024)L11807
PUBLIC NOTICE
STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE
Case No. 2024PR000192
In the Matter of the Estate of SARA M. POTTHAST
Deceased
CLAIM NOTICE
Notice is given of the death of SARA M. POTTHAST
Of: WOODSTOCK, IL
Letters of office were issued on: 6/13/2024
To Representative: JAMES W. POTTHAST 10606 DEERPATH ROAD WOODSTOCK, IL 60098 whose attorney is: KNAPP, PETER G. 244 N. THROOP ST. STE 110 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 June 26, 2024)L11808
PUBLIC NOTICE
STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS-IN PROBATE
Case No. 2024PR000140
In the Matter of the Estate of RONALD L. MODRICH
Deceased
CLAIM NOTICE
Notice is given of the death of RONALD L. MODRICH Of: HUNTLEY, IL
Letters of office were issued on: 5/3/2024
To Representative: RICHARD A. MODRICH 10811 ELIZABETH AVE. HUNTLEY, IL 60142 whose attorney is: WAGGONER LAW FIRM 4 N. WALKUP AVE. CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014
On, May 28, 2024, Linda Farris was in Geiranger, Norway, at the Fjords Center, with The Woodstock Independent.
Take The Independent on your next vacation, take a photo, and send it to pr@thewoodstockindependent.com to be featured.
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 June 26, 2024)L11809
PUBLIC NOTICE
ASSUMED NAME
Public Notice is hereby given that on JUNE 11, 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 PALLETS 4 YOU located at 480 SCOTLAND RD. LAKEMOOR IL 60051. Owner Name & Address: ARTURO VARELA-RIVERA 219 S. GREEN ST. MCHENRY, IL 60050.
Dated: JUNE 11, 2024
/s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk)
(Published in The Woodstock Independent June 26, 2024)L11810
PUBLIC NOTICE
ASSUMED NAME
Public Notice is hereby given that on JUNE 12, 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 BRITTANY KELLEHER CLEANING located at 16503 IL ROUTE 173 HARVARD, IL 60033. Owner Name & Address: BRITTANY KELLEHER 16503 IL ROUTE 173 HARVARD, IL 60033.
Dated: JUNE 12, 2024
/s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk)
(Published in The Woodstock Independent June 26, 2024)L11812
Sports
Woodstock Dolphin makes splash at Olympic Trials
WHS grad Quinn Cynor swims among best in nation
By Lisa Kunzie NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
When he was 8 years old, Quinn Cynor dipped his toes into the world of competitive swimming as a member of the Woodstock Dolphins Swim Team. Fast forward 13 years and he was diving in head first in his debut race at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials.
On June 16, Cynor represented the Woodstock Dolphins team once again as he swam among the nation’s top athletes at Lucas Oil Stadium, home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts, to compete for a chance to make the Olympic team in the Men’s 200m freestyle. The venue was temporarily transformed to replace the football field with three pools and 30,000 seats, breaking Olympic Trials spectator attendance records worldwide for the event June 15-23. Though his 1:51.38 time did not meet the mark, Cynor looks forward to his future in the sport.
“I was really excited to learn from it all, to take the experiences and apply it to all I need to do to have a better shot for a national or Olympic team,” Cynor said.
Cynor returned to swim with the Dolphins after wrapping up his collegiate season at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, where he studies kinesiology, to continue training for his swim at the trials. He said Dolphins head coach Sharon Lesniak welcomed him back, and he enjoyed demonstrating dolphin kicks and other techniques for the young swimmers.
“I’ve been a lot of places in my career,” Cynor said. “It was very necessary and poetic to represent Woodstock here at the trials. It’s where I started and where I swam in high school. Representing Woodstock means a lot to me. I hope it inspires others in the area to do other great things as well.”
Successes and trials
To qualify for the trials, Cynor needed a time of 1:49.99 in the long-course event — swimming in a 50-meter pool rather than a 25-yard pool — between November 30, 2022, and June 4, 2024. On July 28, 2023, he hit the mark with a 1:49.65, taking first place in the Illinois Long Course Senior Championships at Westmont, Ill.
The Woodstock High School alumnus graduated as the class of 2021 valedictorian and was named the WHS Outstanding Male Athlete. In the pool as a varsity member of the Woodstock co-op swim team, he took down every individual event record held in the school’s history and still holds those today. He was a three-time state qualifier with four IHSA state medals swimming in the
200 free and 100 backstroke. Cynor said he first realized his potential to qualify for the Olympic Trials after his junior year in high school, with a couple more years of long course 50-meter training. Unfortunately, COVID canceled the IHSA swim sectionals and state meet his senior year, but Cynor swam an “All-American” 200-free time that year — a time designated by the high school swim coaches association — which was the fastest in the state, a sure sign he would have medaled. Cynor ultimately ended up working out in his basement and swim-training in Wisconsin to prepare for college and his future Olympic trials.
“I learned to appreciate the process and rededicated myself to just being a better athlete and swimmer and see where it ultimately took me,” Cynor said. “With massive support from friends and family, it has taken me here to Indy.”
He first swam collegiately at the University of Cincinnati, then transferred to Wyoming, where he’s been the past two years. Cynor wrapped up his junior year with a conference championship in the 200 free and 200 fly, and multiple school records in relay events as well as the 500 freestyle and 100 backstroke. As the university’s pool is 25-yards, though, Cynor had to drive over an hour from Laramie, Wyoming, to Fort Collins, Colorado, every weekend to get into a 50-meter long course pool to train for the trials. When his school year ended, he trained with Reach Aquatics Swim Club at the Pleasant Prairie RecPlex with his former YMCA Sage Swim Club Coach Ed Richardson, a 2020 Illinois Swimming Coaches Hall of Fame inductee. Cynor also came back to Illinois to swim evenings with the Dolphins.
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COURTESY PHOTO
Woodstock High School alumnus Quinn Cynor stands on the pool deck at Lucas Oil Statdium in Indianapolis before his debut 200 freestyle swim in the Olympic Trials June 16.
North’s Ellie Thurow earns ARC title for Coe College
When you are looking to top the regular season conference champion in the conference tournament, what do you do?
Putting the ball in the hands of your all-conference pitcher, namely Ellie Thurow , who has been named to the American Rivers Conference team for three consecutive years, is a good start.
The Coe College graduate student pitched her team to two conference tournament wins and thus the tournament title. In the title tilt, they topped Central College, who had won the regular season ARC title with a 13-3 mark. Coe was second with a 12-4 mark in the league.
Dan Chamness
The College Report
COURTESY PHOTO
Ellie Thurow in action for Coe College.
In both cases, Thurow worked seven innings. In the 5-3 title win
over Central, she allowed them only four hits. She fanned two and walked one in the seven innings of work.
Coe earned the right to play Central by slipping by Luther College 3-2. Thurow, who improved to 15-4 during the ARC Tournament, held Luther to one earned run on four hits. She walked three and fanned one.
The three-time all-conference athlete, who was named to the ARC second-team, had either a save or a win in eight of the Coe’s wins in the ARC. In her 43 1/3 innings of work, she allowed 16 earned runs on 39 hits. She fanned 25 batters and walked 15.
MESSAGE FROM CHAMNESS
We have have already started to write about the athletes that have completed their careers during the 2023-2024 school year. I am reaching out to the reading public to
make sure that I do not miss one athlete who completed their athletic career during the last school year. If anyone wants to make sure I have their son/daughter on my list, please email me (Dan62801@aol. com). Please put “Woodstock Independent” in the subject line of the email.
We are looking for names for the upcoming school year. There are two rules to be included in this column. First, the athlete must be a graduate of one of three schools normally covered by The Independent or be from a town normally covered by The Independent. The other equally important rule is the athlete must be involved in intercollegiate athletics, meaning their chosen college/university competes against other schools.
Dan Chamness writes The College Report for The Independent.
Continued from PREVIOUS Page
Looking ahead
“I have never been an athlete with a ‘bucket list’ of things I’ve wanted to accomplish,” Cynor said. “From an early age I’ve come to understand that success is fleeting and progress is not guaranteed, and you never know what tomorrow brings. What is important is that you embrace the process, and take pleasure in practice and personal improvement. I’ve learned a lot here this week. I’m going to take that back to Illinois and incorporate that into my preparation for the next run: the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Nothing would please me more than an opportunity to represent the City of Woodstock and the USA in the next go around.”
“I would like to give a huge thank you to both my parents, Kathy and Tom, and a huge shout out to Ian Shanahan for being the greatest high school coach a guy could ask for,” Cynor added. “Also, thank you to Sharon for giving me the opportunity to represent the Woodstock Dolphins.”
NN SCOREBOARD NN
TUESDAY NIGHT MEN’S GOLF
■ June 11- Team standings: 1-Aerosport
