Woodstock Independent 6/5/24

The Woodstock

June 5-11, 2024

I NDEPENDENT

WHS SENIORS

Check out the Woodstock High School senior class

STATE TRACK WRAPUP

WHS, WNHS had a good showing at state track meet

13

‘Striving to explode’

Marian Central Catholic high school graduates 76

By Amanda Burr NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

The class of 2024 has come a long way; from online Zoom classes, masks, and extracurricular restrictions, to sweaty palms in blue and red caps and gowns. On May 24, Marian Central

Catholic High School unleashed this class into the world.

Marian friends, family, and alumni gathered in Lander’s Pavillion to celebrate the accomplishments of Marian’s class of ‘24 as well as to say goodbye. Despite the stormy weather, the beautiful ceremony began with graduate

Madeleine Noon and the choir singing the National Anthem. Valedictorian Samuel Hoover and salutatorian Michaela Johnson expressed the promise and compassion of Marian’s class of ‘24 in their addresses. Michaela touched on the legacy

3

Marian Central Catholic High School graduates applaud as parents and members of the

on during the commencement ceremony May 24.

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

Phone: 815-338-8040

Fax: 815-338-8177

Thewoodstock independent.com

‘So then, I need to learn how to play pickleball’

By Eileen Millard NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

As Dave Zinnen settles into the pace of retired life after 27 and a half years as Woodstock’s Parks and Recreation Director, he thinks that pickleball is looking pretty good right now. “The ability to play softball, basketball, has kind of dwindled,” he said with a laugh in a recent interview.

Anyone who has seen him at his daily workout at the Woodstock Recreation Center might beg to disagree. Zinnen comes in to do the routine he invented, called the “Cardio Challenge” (20 minutes, level 11 on the Stairmaster, and five miles on the bike

See ZINNEN, Page 2

See MARIAN, Page

INDEPENDENT

PHOTO BY VICKY LONG

faculty look

Continued from Page 1

in 21 minutes) with some weight lifting and pushups thrown in.

Zinnen started as Woodstock Recreation Director in August of 1996, coming from a long background in sports and recreation that started in Dixon, IL, where he worked for the park district. “I (started) when I was a kid, as scorekeeper, doing field prep for baseball diamonds and (as a referee) for basketball for them,” he said, adding that he organized his first softball tournament when he was 14.

Leaving a legacy

When Zinnen started, the Woodstock Parks and Recreation Department was very different than it is today. “We were a pretty small department, tucked in over there at City Hall, just recreation programs and Peters Pool, a scaled-down version of the aquatic center,” said Zinnen. When asked how many Peters Pools could fit inside the current Woodstock Water Works, Zinnen said with a laugh, “about three.”

Compared to other cities of Woodstock’s population, Zinnen said, “I’d put Woodstock Water Works up against any of the aquatic centers in the area.“

The pool was an ambitious project when it was proposed. “At the time, we had passed referendums for the police station, the library, and Stage Left,” said Zinnen. “We threw a lot at the taxpayers. The Aquatic Center referendum failed the first time (but) passed pretty easily the second time.”

Woodstock added the Recreation Center during Zinnen’s tenure as a chance to centralize recreational activities that had previously been at scattered sites in the city. The entire project, including the building acquisition, renovation, equipment purchase, and construction of an addition with a gym and multi-purpose rooms, came in at about $1.6 million, Zinnen said.

The Emricson Park Walking Path, which has added loops over the years, was another of Zinnen’s favorite projects. The path provides a safe, offroad place for people to walk, jog, and run without having to dodge traffic from cars driving in the park.

Fitness runs in the family

Zinnen’s three sons, Matt, Ryan, and Jay, spent a lot of their early years at the Recreation Center and took after their dad in organizing sports activities at a young age.

“The boys started when they were in grade school, helping to run the basketball camps during holidays … then scorekeeping … for high school leagues when they got older,” Zinnen said.

They continue with their sports interests. Matt, who is serving in the Air Force, recently organized the base softball league. Ryan currently coaches a seventh-grade travel team, and Jay works at the recreation center at Illinois State University, where he goes to college.

A great staff

Zinnen praised his staff for the success of his

department “Everyone was always willing to jump in and take on new tasks,” he said.

Zinnen, who was honored at the May 7 City Council meeting, said, “When I did my speech … other people, from outside organizations, like the guy that is doing the Park Master Plan, said they were always amazed with what we have accomplished with such a small staff.”

Retired life and looking back

Slowing down for retirement has been a gradual process so far. Zinnen works part-time at Craig Woods Golf Course, referees basketball, umpires baseball, and also helps wrangle two puppies, Busster and Archie, that his family got last

Christmas. The dogs are Red Heelers, a breed used for cattle herding. “So when you go for a walk, they walk you,” Zinnen noted. “They also try to herd the geese and the squirrels.”

Travel for Zinnen and his wife, Tami, will probably include trips that extend farther than the family road trips taken when their sons were young. “We spent a lot of time in the Wisconsin Dells,” he said. “An hour and a half in the car was the most you could get out of the kids,” he added with a smile.

His favorite part of the job, Zinnen said, was, “just seeing people enjoy the activities. Leaving the Rec Center and the (parking) lot was full, the facility full. Going to the aquatic center and seeing 800 -1,000 people there. And just the number of people who use the recreation path, 24/7.”

His advice to all, about Woodstock’s parks and recreation facilities: “Get out there and enjoy them.”

From the City Council proclamation read at the May 7 meeting:

“NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Woodstock City Council, on behalf of all citizens of Woodstock, wishes to congratulate and commend Dave Zinnen, offering the community’s deepest gratitude for his service for the past 27 years. He has earned the respect, affection, and admiration of his co-workers, colleagues, and the community. We wish Dave the highest degree of good health and happiness throughout his retirement years ahead.”

INDEPENDENT FILE CARTOON BY JIM PEARSON

Dave Zinnen (above) is depicted in an October 1999 Woodstock Independent cartoon, trying to keep the old Peters Pool afloat and dreaming of the aquatic center that would open in 2002. (Below) Zinnen is pictured at at Woodstock Water Works. COURTESY PHOTO

MARIAN

the graduates hope to leave on the world as well as the lessons they learned along the way. “Many people say they want to change the world,” she said, “yet I know that all 76 of us have the courage and determination to transform that statement into a promise.”

Respectfully so, valedictorian Samuel Hoover expressed the beauty in explosion when it results in passionate art, and the class of ‘24 strives to explode.

Driven to make a difference, graduates are planning to attend colleges as close as Illinois State and

as far as Seattle University. The graduates racked up $18 million in scholarships, showcasing their collective academic skill set, but they have also been duly recognized for their unique gifts. Alexandra Joosten received an award for excellence in art, Alexander Burdzy received the Director’s Award for band, Christian Bentancur and Madison Kenyon both received the Sister Lenore Outstanding Athlete Award, and Fiona Morris received the National Honor Society Leadership Award, just to name a few.

The graduates were decked out in medals, cords, and multiple tassels to mark their involvement in honor societies. Notably, there were 23 National Honor Society members, four in Tri-M Music Honor Society, five Thespian Society members, 16 in Spanish Honor Society, and six in French Honor Society as of senior year.

As the teachers bid a tearyeyed farewell to the graduates, they know they have nurtured a brilliant group and can only hope their lessons stick with them.

Graduation by the numbers

■ Graduates: 76

■ Marian Senior Scholars (3.8 or higher cumulative GPA): 47

■ Illinois State Scholars: 8

■ State Seal of Biliteracy: 5

■ Commendation Toward Biliteracy: 2

■ Global Functional Fluency: 4

■ Global Working Fluency: 2

■ 96% College Bound

■ $18.2 Million Awarded in Scholarships

WHS students create McHenry County Federation of Teachers logo

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Woodstock students rose to the challenge of creating a new logo for the McHenry County Federation of Teachers (MCFT), which includes Local 1642 comprised of District 200 personnel.

of all of its members, which includes teachers, classroom associates, technology staff, secretarial support staff, custodians, transportation drivers, mechanics and food service personnel,” Olhava said. “It is important that this collective effort is recognized for creating such successful schools within our district.”

executive board for a decision.

The team of Keira Bogott, Brian Goudreau, and Frankie Scott narrowed their choice to that of Bogott, whose design was chosen as the winning logo by the MCFT board.

“The rebranding of the logo makes the union more visible in the community and reflects the collective efforts

Woodstock High School graphic arts teacher Sandra Brainard explained that the State of Illinois has made significant changes in the career and technical education curriculum, which must now include a Team Based Challenge (TBC). This TBC must create a connection between students and professionals with a real world problem or a simulated real world problem. When Local 1642 President Mickey Olhava approached the teacher with the idea of an updated logo for the union, Brainard knew this fit perfectly in the new TBC requirement.

This type of project requires teams of students working together. Brainard’s students began with learning about the MCFT from Olhava, then researching logo designs used for teachers unions. The teams then created their proposed designs with ongoing critique from her. The teams then decided which of their designs would be presented to Olhava, who offered his own input. The final designs were sent to the MCFT

“I am so proud of these students,” Brainard said. “Doing a project that will be visible in the community on the MCFT website, apparel, signage, and more inspires them to produce higher quality work.”

Olhava added, “The McHenry County Federation of Teachers is so impressed with the creation of our new logo and proud of all of our graphics students who took part in the design competition. Our hope is that this logo is seen as a symbol of the collective efforts of its members in facilitating the needs of our children.”

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY VICKY LONG Salutatorian Michaela Johnson (left) addresses her peers.

Valedictorian Samuel Hoover (left) grabs a photo with Laura Litner.

Caroline Stumpf and Jacob Sievert

Despite cool temperatures on the first day of June, crowds came out to enjoy a wide variety of edible delights at the Food Truck Festival sponsored by the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Real Woodstock.

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

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

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

Woodstock Police Department

■ Raymond D. Bensfield, 48, transient, was arrested May 18 at North Benton Street on charges of criminal trespass to property. Released on notice to appear. Court date June 6.

■ Jacob B. Rockwell, 32, Woodstock, was arrested May 20 at Jefferson and Church streets on charges of no drivers license, operating an uninsured vehicle, no seatbelt and improper display of registration. Released on notice to appear. Court date June 27.

■ Timothy Tobin, 37, transient, was arrested May 20 at Prairie View Lane

IN BRIEF

Amateur radio operators host field day June 22-23

The Radio Amateur Civil Emergency Services (RACES) division of the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency will be participating in Field Day June 22 and 23.

Field Day is a 24-hour annual exercise sponsored by the American Radio Relay League, the national association for amateur radio. It’s an opportunity for federally licensed radio amateurs to test their skills and equipment in the field by making radio contacts, using various modes of communications with other operators all over the country.

The public is invited to attend the exercise from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday, June 22. Visitors will have a unique opportunity to get on the air using one of the official Field Day stations. This is an excellent opportunity to learn what Ham Radio is all about.

Field Day stations will be located behind the maintenance facility at 12394 Ware Road, Woodstock. Parking will be off Route 47, Seminary Avenue, just north of Ware Road.

Over the weekend, amateur radio operators will be demonstrating various radio techniques ranging from classic Morse code to more modern digital and satellite communications. Several clubs in the area will even be experimenting with TV signals and microwave communications equipment.

Questions can be directed to the McHenry County Emergency Management Agency at 815-338-6400, or at http://www.mcraces.org.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

on criminal trespass to property, outstanding warrant. Transported to McHenry County Jail. Court date July 11.

Brayan C. Sanchez Rodriguez, 19, Joliet, was arrested May 21 at Route 14/Lake Shore Drive on charges of no drivers license, speeding 15-20. Released on notice to appear. Court date June 11.

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

EMS calls for May 23 to 29: 77 Fire runs

Structure fire: 1

Mobile property (vehicle) fire: 1

Natural vegetation fire: 1

Combustible/fire spills and leaks: 1

Electrical wiring/equipment problem: 2

Person in distress: 1

Public service assistance: 13

Cover assignment/stand by at fire station: 1

Dispatched and canceled en route: 1

Wrong location/no emergency found: 2

Steam, other gas mistaken for smoke: 1

HazMat release investigation w/no

HazMat: 1

System r detector malfunction: 2

Unintentional system/detector (no fire): 9

Total: 114

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Samuel Hendricks was at Miyazaki Station, Japan, for a high school trip.

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

PICTURE THIS

Join the McHenry County Historical Society’s Night at the Museum from 5 – 8 p.m. on June 7 at 6422 Main St. in Union. Members and the public are invited to join us for a delightful night under the big tent as we celebrate this season’s newest Museum exhibits. Enjoy refreshing beverages from our craft brewery sponsors, live music, tasty food trucks, and fun with old and new friends! Free museum admission. Craft beer tasting tickets can be purchased in advance at gothistory.org.

COURTESY PHOTO

Elwood Howell, left, and Lyle Paulsen construct this “Drink Milk” sign on Paulsen’s farm on Route 14 near Brookdale Bridge in the late 1950s.

Don Peasley Photo Collection, McHenry County Historical Society

Woodstock, IL • 1987

Repping the brand: TWI at IPA

Newspaper writing and producing is a little like cowboying.

What? Stick with me for a minute on this...

Each has been a longtime, traditional way of making a living and each arguably had a hand in building this country; one by raising and wrangling animals to feed the growing population, and one by chasing down and rounding up news and happenings to inform those same people.

Each might also be considered a practice that’s a thing of the past, but both work hard to keep themselves current.

A cowboy gets down to work each day, focused on getting the job at hand done without any special recognition. The same goes for newspaper staff.

But once in a while it’s good to put yourself out there as a test to compare to the others in your field.

Rodeoing began as a friendly ranch-versus-ranch contest where cowboys from different outfits tested their skills against each other. That kind of competition makes you practice a little harder and focus on being among the best in your field.

The Independent went head-to-head in competition recently, going up against some of the best writers, photographers, and designers in the state. TWI did not disappoint.

Staff members of The Woodstock Independent won at least 40 awards in more than two dozen categories in the annual contest sponsored by the Illinois Press Association.

Formal announcement of the awards will be made during the IPA annual meeting June 6 in Bloomington.

Many of the awards involved the newspaper’s coverage of three major news developments in Woodstock in 2023: the completion and opening of the Old Courthouse Center; the financial problems of Hearthstone, Woodstock’s largest retirement community; and the October natural gas explosion on Lincoln Avenue, which destroyed two houses and

Illilnois local government designed for the 1800s

Illinois, land of 8,500 units of local government, by far, the most in the nation! This is extreme tax waste which DOES NOT need to be on the backs of over-taxed families.

Example One: Stark County’s

damaged about two dozen other buildings.

Writer Susan W. Murray won several awards, including three for her exclusive reporting on Hearthstone. Those included investigative/enterprise reporting, promoting the public’s right to know, and community service. The Independent also won a community service award for editor Larry Lough’s reporting and editorials on the Old Courthouse Center.

Murray and Lough also contributed to staff reporting that won awards for coverage of the neardowntown explosion, as well as winning awards for feature writing, business/economic reporting, school board coverage, and headline writing.

While most of the awards went to reporting and photography projects, associate editor Sandy Kucharski also won awards for advertising design and page layout. Tricia Carzoli won awards for both

population of just 5,000 encompasses all or parts of 40 taxing districts, about one for every 125 citizens.

Example Two: Dolton residents pay taxes to the village, Thornton Township, Thornton Township Road District, as well as a park district, a public library, a water reclamation district, a forest preserve, a mosquito abatement district,

photography and reporting.

Other photo awards went to Ken Farver and Vicky Long. Staff awards included newspaper design and best special sections for the spring Home, Farm & Garden section along with the special section on tenants of the Old Courthouse Center.

Other winners included Megan Ivers for sports column, Lisa Kunzie for sports feature, and Paul Lockwood for original column.

At the end of the day, it’s not all about awards, but it does reflect the value the staff of The Independent puts into finding what’s important to Woodstock residents and delivering it in a well written, high quality format that is recognized as being among the best in its field.

That high quality product is shared every week with the subscribers and readers, and the pride in the brand shows.

five school districts, a community college district and Cook County.

Fact: layers upon layers of unnecessary layers of government are draining taxpayers dry. Note: Illinois has the highest overall tax burden of all 50 states.

Forty-Six (46) States Function With Less Than 2,500 Units of Local

Government.

How does Illinois compare with these 46 states? If Illinois eliminated 5,000 units of local government, it would still have 1,000 more units than 46 states! Illinoisans are forced to fund a nation-leading local government system designed for the 1800s, a bygone era. Travel is now by car, not horse and

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO

This award winning personality profile photo of Bob Kristensen – owner of Kristensen Service Center – appeared in the Sept. 12 edition of The Woodstock Independent.

Our riches are in our dishes

A young friend of mine is getting married, and I’m a member of the crew hosting her bridal shower. Brunch casseroles are on the menu, and another crew member asked if I needed any 13 x 9 dishes.

At the Murray house, we have what you might call an embarrassment of riches in dishes.

Aside from what we acquired as wedding gifts, I’ve stockpiled kitchen paraphernalia from the RD Emporium (“RD” standing for “Recently Deceased”). Between what landed in our house after cleaning out my mom’s kitchen cabinets and what came from my maiden aunts’ home, I could whip up brunch casseroles for three times the number of guests we’re expecting.

Why hang onto all that, you might say, but anyone who cooks knows the answer.

You’re going to break something. Or your husband will. Or, more than likely, one of your adorable children.

So when that 32-ounce glass measuring cup takes a tumble from the kitchen counter, you’ll have a backup in the basement - unless one day, generosity washed over you for one of your daughter’s friends who was moving into her first apartment and you parted with said glass measuring cup.

Just as an example.

And this is where estate sales come in, which are another version of the RD Emporium.

If you watch Antiques Roadshow, you’ve seen the episodes featuring

Continued from Previous page buggy.

Members of Illinois’ General Assembly, you have ignored the inefficient and tax costly excessive 8,500 local government problem far too long. I have an idea for you. Make government consolidation a priority, doing away with the township form of government should be at the top of the list. Townships are antiquated, spend a lot of money and are full of blatant examples of cronyism, nepotism, patronage and tax-waste. ,Bob Anderson Wonder Lake

someone who bought a painting at an estate sale for $8.00 because she “liked the frame,” and the item on display is actually an early piece from some well-known regional artist whose works have soared in value upon the artist’s recent passing.

After “Wow!” and “I had no idea,” the estate sale-goer walks away with a painting that will finance four college educations.

Most of us who frequent estate sales do not have such lofty aspirations.

We are the practical-minded estate sale shoppers.

We have learned that you can pick up candles - tapers, votives, pillars - for 25 cents each.

Tablecloths that cost the same in a department store as your monthly electric bill can be had for $5.00. And sometimes, you just get incredibly, unbelievably lucky.

Anyone who has been married for more than a decade, and especially those who have children, despairs of having enough silverware to set the table for more than four people.

The forks seem to hang around, but knives must cleverly conceal themselves and slip out the door inside otherwise empty pizza boxes.

And the spoons. What in the world happens to the spoons?

» OUR POLICY

Surely if someone has cereal for breakfast or enjoys a scoop of ice cream after dinner, the spoon should make it to the dishwasher along with the bowl.

But they don’t.

Out one Friday a few years ago, my husband, daughter, and I saw a sign for an estate sale in Westwood and impulsively decided to check it out.

The sale, which ran on Thursday and Friday, was pretty well cleared out. We took a quick tour of the open rooms and started to pass the checkout table as we prepared to leave.

And there it was. Gleaming from inside a ziploc bag was a partial set of our everyday stainless in the Oneida Independence pattern, sold between 1981 and 2000.

Parting with $10 dollars, I marched out triumphantly with my treasure thrust overhead.

We’ve very well stocked in forks now and have a decent number of knives. The spoons are still on the skimpy side. If no more than seven people are sitting down to dinner, everyone can have matching silverware.

I have an older friend who wants some help in cleaning out her kitchen cabinets. She says she rarely cooks anymore and wants to give the Sparrow’s Nest all the tools, appliances, and pots and pans she no longer uses.

I’m eager to help her.

Maybe she has a 32-ounce glass measuring cup.

I NDEPENDENT

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$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

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 Please limit letters to 400 words. Longer submissions may be considered for use as a guest column.

n Letters must be signed and include the writer’s address and a telephone number, which will be used for verification purposes only.

n Email letters to pr@thewoodstock independent.com or mail or drop them off at our office, 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098.

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Judith Svalander Dance Theatre

The Sleeping Beauty

Woodstock Opera House

Saturday, June 8th

2:00pm & 7:00pm Purchase

Photo CameraLady com

Schools

WHS, WNHS students win graphic arts awards

By Kevin Lyons NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

A total of 13 students from Woodstock and Woodstock North high schools were winners in the 2024 High School Graphics Arts competition held at Harper College in Palatine.

WHS graphics arts teacher Sandra Brainard and WNHS teacher Bill Weber said they were proud of the students’ work and of their achievements in the competition.

“Those who won awards should be proud of the time and effort they put into compiling their projects and the judges recognize that,” Brainard said.

“Seeing their art recognized is quite amazing. The young artists have not only honed their technical skills but also infused their unique perspectives into their creations,” Weber added..

The following students were winners at the Harper College competition:

Woodstock High School

William Reese - 1st Place - Level 5 - Photo Manipulation

Frankie Scott - 2nd Place - Level 5 - Screen Print

Zoe Zmarzlinski - 2nd Place - Level 2 - Photo Manipulation

Kayden Petrik - 3rd Place - Level 1 - Photo Manipulation

Yuridia Sanchez Garcia - Level 2 - Digital Illustration

Woodstock North High School:

Daisy Garcia - 2nd Place - Level 1 - Photography

Damian Garcia - 3rd Place - Level 2 - Photography

Bella Bracken - 1st Place - Level 4 - Photography Addi-

son Mauck - 2nd Place - Level 4 - Photography Alayna

Buckley - 1st Place - Level 5 - Photography

Kevin Viveros-Zarate -2nd Place -Level 5-Photography

Patrick Lambrecht - 2nd Place - Level 2 - Illustration

Rayna Kessler - 2nd Place - Level 3 - Photo Manipulation

WNHS graphic arts award winners: (From left) Kevin ViverosZarate, Daisy Garcia, Patrick Lambrecht (Back L to R) Addison Mauck, Damian Garcia, Bella Bracken, Rayna Kessler, Alayna Buckley DISTRICT 200 PHOTOS

WHS graphic arts award winners: (L to R) Frankie Scott, William Reese, Zoe Zmarzlinski, and Kayden Petrik

‘The most difficult part of my work was deciding when to retire’

By Janet Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Lynn Ryan’s lifelong profession has been nursing since 1966. She earned her RN at St. Anne’s Hospital School of Nursing in Chicago, her BS from St. Francis College and her Master’s in Public Health from George Williams College. She became a school nurse in District 200 after spending 20 years in an emergency room, then more than 20 years in long term care as a director of nursing, administrator and vice rresident of clinical operations.

Her favorite vacation was going with her whole family to Yellowstone National Park and stopping at the Badlands and Mount Rushmore on the way.

Ryan’s life skills students have medical needs that require consistent monitoring. Many have multiple disabilities. Some are alert, ambulatory, and verbal, while others may be nonverbal, nonambulatory, or have respiratory difficulties or seizures. Each student has their own needs and goals.

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

Sundays by appointment only

Contractors

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

From 2010-2013 Ryan filled the position of school nurse at Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center, followed by work at Westwood Elementary. Since that time Ryan has served as life skills nurse at Creekside Middle School.

“The most difficult and challenging part of my work was deciding when to retire,” Ryan added. “Hanging up the towel and letting someone else take over and not wake up daily and see my students will be difficult.”

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

“The best part of working in life skills is working and providing care to students and being part of a very comprehensive team of professionals such as teachers, therapy (PT, OT, and ST), vision and hearing, social services and associates.” Ryan said. “Together we collaborate to meet the students’ learning, medical, physical and emotional needs. I am very proud of District 200’s commitment to providing an environment to implement these programs successfully.”

She does not have any “special plans” right now for the upcoming years but looks forward to having more time for family and the outdoors. Her home in the country has many fruit trees, gardens, and flowers that keep her busy.

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

Her schedule was just as busy at home, as she and her late husband raised nine children, who have since added 21 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren to the family.

Ryan concluded, “The best part of District 200 is working with the students and our dedicated and skilled staff. This has been such a rewarding position and these students have meant the world to me. It is fulfilling to be part of our students’ growth and development while they overcome many challenges to be ready for high school.”

Sundays by appointment only

Contractors Welcome!

She added, “In the fall I will most likely volunteer in a community service and live life to its fullest every day.”

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Creekside Middle School life skills nurse Lynn Ryan retires.

A & E

Creative Living tickets on sale now

Full season of six speakers is on the schedule for 2024-25 season

By Eileen Millard NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

The Woodstock Fine Arts Association will begin its 61st season this October after the Opera House renovations are over. They will present a full season of six speakers, starting in October 2024 and ending in April 2025.

Thomas Swick, author of “Falling Into Place: The Cold War Love Story of a Would-Be Travel Writer and AlmostSpy,” will speak on October 17, 2024. In 1978, at the height of Soviet Bloc tensions, Thomas Swick moved to Poland to be with his future wife, Hania. The young journalist and aspiring travel writer had no idea that over the next decade, he would witness the rise of Solidarity and imposition of martial law, decline an invitation to be an informant for the regime, and walk with thousands of Poles to Częstochowa, an annual pilgrimage that blossomed into a nineday protest march. He discovered that in order to be a travel writer, it helps to live in a place and learn the language; but to be a good traveler all you need is curiosity and a sense of wonder.

Jonathan Eig, 2024 Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer, will speak on November 21, 2024, about his book: “King: A Life.”

Drawing on a landslide of recently declassified White House telephone transcripts and FBI files, Jonathan Eig presents a revelatory

new portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., infusing it with the narrative energy of a thriller. Dr. King was a minister wrestling with his own human frailties and dark moods, a citizen hunted by his own government, and a man determined to fight for justice even if it proved to be a fight to the death. A deep thinker, brilliant strategist, and committed radical, he built a reform movement on the most American of pillars: the Bible, the Declaration of Independence, and the American dream.

holiday traditions and festive floral designs.

the Chicago food scene, covering talents like Charlie Trotter, Grant Achatz and Stephanie Izard. In the process, he brought attention to Chicago as one of the nation’s finest culinary destinations. For 11 years, Vettel served on the James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards Committee. Countless readers trusted his reviews; now he will share his ringside point of view on the Chicago food scene and the culinary giants who make it sizzle.

Margot Shaw, founder of Flower Magazine and author of Living Floral, will speak on December 12, 2024, presenting seasonal glimpses into the flower styles of top tastemakers in interior, floral, garden and event design, just in time for holiday entertaining and decorating. She will share ideas on how to entertain with flair, from simple to elegant, and always with gorgeous flowers as the centerpiece for gatherings of friends and loved ones. With practical tips and invaluable resources, Shaw will show how to incorporate the joy of flowers into everyday life. She will also highlight some of her favorite

Patrick Bringley, author of “All the Beauty in the World: The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Me,” will speak on February 20, 2025. Grieving the loss of his older brother to cancer, Patrick Bringley quit his job at the New Yorker magazine and went to work as a security guard at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His idea was to “stand still awhile” to drink in the beauty all around him while directing visitors to the restrooms and the mummies, in order to find comfort with no thought of moving forward. The exquisite account of his 10 years at the Met – including a tour of masterpieces and their creators – is a lesson in learning “(not) about art, but from it” as well as a meditation on finding joy in the exalted as well as the mundane.

Phil Vettel, an acclaimed Chicago Tribune food critic for 31 years, will speak on March 20, 2025, on “The Golden Age of Chicago Dining.” Although his arrival at a restaurant could send panic through the staff, he was always rooting for them. Vettel witnessed the evolution of

Heidi Stevens, a Chicago Tribune journalist who wrote the “Balancing Act” column for over 20 years, will present her talk on “The Secret Power of Storytelling” on April 17, 2025. Stevens maintains a nationally syndicated column specializing in stories of love, belief, wonder, enthusiasm, joy, grief and hardship, written about down-and-outers, celebrities and everyday folks. With the wisdom that comes from listening, she will share some of those stories, as well as stories from her own life and experiences. Stevens will also talk about the secret power she’s discovered in storytelling: that stories remind us of what we have in common and have the superpower to connect us.

All programs begin at 10 a.m. in the Woodstock Opera House. Coffee and conversation are offered at 9 a.m. in Stage Left Cafe. To order, call the Woodstock Opera House Box Office, (815) 338-5300, or visit woodstockfinearts.org.

Thomas Swick

Jonathan Eig

Patrick Bringley

Phil Vettel

Heidi Stevens

Margot Shaw

Woodstock City Band

It’s time again to pack up the chairs and blankets and set aside Wednesday evenings to enjoy the Woodstock City Band in the Park in the Square. Check out the schedule below for the specially themed music presented each week.

June 5 - Sail the Ocean Blue

Ice cream sponsor - Groundhog Days

June 12 - Danzas Latinas

Ice cream sponsor - Friends of the Old Courthouse

June 19 - Wide Open Spaces

Ice cream sponsor - Woodstock Pride

June 26 - For Kids from One to Ninety-Two

Ice cream sponsor - Farm Bureau of McHenry County

July 3 - From Coast to Coast

Ice cream sponsor - Friends of the Opera House

July 10 - Passport, Please!

Ice cream sponsor - Friends of the Library

July 17 - My Kind of Town

Ice cream sponsor - D200 Educational Foundation

July 24 - Galloping through the Gallery

Ice cream sponsor - Real Woodstock

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Woodstock resident John Matuk enjoys the first Karaoke Wednesday at Stage Left Cafe. The series will run throughout the summer.

WOODSTOCK HIGH SCHOOL 2024 GRADUATES

Medardo Botello

James Winfield Breen

Steven David Breen

Aubreigh Cheryl Ann Brittain

Aaron Jacob Brohammer

Allison Jee Yoon Butenschoen

Christian Andrew Balgeman

Benjamin Thomas Barczak

Benjamin Josiah Barnett

Emma Grace Barrett

Ella Elizabeth Bauer

A’nyah Qanai Bors

Adam Scott Andresen

Noah Aden Andrews

Hector Arellano Zapata

Alejandro Arreola

Charles Alexander Baker

Veronica Louise Baker

Maggie Marie Adams

Margaret Lucille Affield

Bianca Bernal Alanis

Richard Alcocer

Analee Alvarez

Vianney Alvarez Banuelos

Woodstock High School Class of 2024

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

‘Acknowledge this moment, reminisce in the memories, and embrace your passion.’

sold just one. Steve Jobs and Apple were on the brink of bankruptcy in 1997 and only recovered following a generous donation from their main competitor, Microsoft.

Good afternoon,

On behalf of the class of 2024, I would like to express gratitude to the educators, parents, coaches, school board members, and mentors in attendance today. You have bestowed wisdom upon us, created indelible memories, and provided unwavering support. You have helped lay the foundation on which we build our future endeavors.

Thank you!

To the class of 2024, I leave this.

Role models are defined by their characteristics. They are commended for their resilience, applauded for their will to execute their goals, and admired for their passion. Through their aweinspiring achievements, they garner reputations for being the epitome of success. Role models such as Michael Jordan, Vincent Van Gogh, and Steve Jobs have reputations associated with nothing less than the words champion, innovator, and legend. However, their reputations fail to acknowledge their most admirable trait: their perseverance.

Michael Jordan was cut from the varsity basketball team while a sophomore in high school. Vincent Van Gogh painted well over 900 art pieces in his lifetime but

These facts detail not the championship rings earned by the greatest basketball player of all time, not the revolutionary paintings that hang in the world’s most prestigious museums by one of the most well-known artists in history, and not the many technological innovations created by one of the world’s most successful companies. Instead, they highlight the adversities faced.

Despite a lack of progress, they were indifferent. They didn’t succumb to the feelings of defeat, but rather found value in each struggle. The failures became motivation to persevere, an opportunity to grow, and they all continued to pursue their passions, risking the fact they may fail. However, failure wasn’t something that they allowed to deter them from their dreams because they held confidence in themselves and knew the most valuable accomplishments are achieved through what is overcome.

I often find myself envious of those who can naturally approach ambitious tasks with confidence and optimism, seemingly unmoved by the challenges they face, despite acknowledging they may fail.

By nature, I am a “perfectionist,” so much so that my mother will often state that, as a baby, I refused to stand unless I knew I was capable of walking. But, I wouldn’t ever test my ability to walk unless I held the certainty that I could then run. For many years, I allowed the

fear of failure, the greatest enemy to perfection, to hinder my growth and reject the change associated with it.

I stand before you today, still trying to convince myself of my own words. However, I am confident life isn’t measured solely by our achievements. We are meant to embrace our experiences, live for our ambitions, and hold our passions dear. Achievements may provide a path to the future, but passion is the only thing tha moves you. Without passion, you will never truly find fulfillment in your ventures. So allow yourself to fail when reaching for your goals, find the value in the challenges that lay ahead, but never do anything less than persevere through these struggles. Ultimately, our accomplishments and accolades won’t define our futures; it will be our responses to adversity along the way.

As we prepare to embark on a period of phenomenal change, I am confident that the members of the class of 2024 can commit to their passions, risk failures, and be role models of perseverance for the future. Moving forward, we must seek to make growth in every experience, to reach for the stars in our Starry Night, and to be the G.O.A.T in our own championships. But as for today, celebrate all that you have achieved and accomplished … and smile at every iPhone today as your loved ones take an absurd amount of photos. Acknowledge this moment, reminisce in the memories, and embrace your passion. You’ll never know what you can accomplish until you take that first step. Thank you.

Seniors not pictured in the portrait section

Niharika Batra

Austin Allen Bauman

Lycan Lee Birong

Jesus Santana Campos

Zachary Carl Canaday

Angel Rosalio Carbajal Rodriguez

Naydelin Chavez Garcia

Julia Cortejoso Sanchez

Da’Marion Marshawn Dickson

Alondra Duenas Romero

Bianca Ivette Fuentes

Aidan Gibson

Deron Gjoni

Jonathan Gomez Vazquez

Devondre Dude Ingram

Jania Marie Lejman

Ayden Lucas Mathieu

Fernando Ortiz

Jasmine Ortiz Godinez

Israel Porcayo

Luis David Sanchez

Nicholas Sharp

Alexander Joseph Sral

Jacob Lee Stewart

Nolan Richard Van Hoorn

Jaretzi Atzin Vega

Amir Wilson

Speech delivered by Woodstock High School valedictorian Cohen Shutt MAY 19, 2024

Cohen Shutt

WOODSTOCK HIGH SCHOOL 2024 GRADUATES

Connor Jacob Crenshaw

Logan Keith Crossman

Jakob Vincent Crown Keila Cruz

Zaira Cruz

Spencer Mitchell Cullum

Paul Casamero Chavez

Santino Robert Chiappetta

Ayva Catherine Collins

Philip Alexander Conrad

Kennedy Reese Cordell

Anna Joy Crenshaw

Alexis Edwin Carrillo

Kristi Louise Caspari

Maria Isabel Castaneda Parada

Jared Cruz Castaneda

Samuel William Chapman Naydelin Chavez Garcia

Trent Christopher Butler

Daniel James Bychowski

Alfredo Cabrera

Jackson Geoffrey Canty

Kierstin Grace Carey Gabriella Maria Rodrigues Carolan

WOODSTOCK HIGH SCHOOL 2024 GRADUATES

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

John William Flannigan

Nathaniel Jareth Gambardella

Maia Garcia Carrasco

Ruhy Vicente Garcia Luna

Adrian Garcia

Daniel Steven Garcia

Ximena Escorza Hernandez Victoria Elizabeth Escutia

Elizabeth Andrea Estevez

Sophia Lynn Fejedelem

Emelia Ferreira Murillo

Madelyn Dorothy Flannery

Leah Jordan Diederich

Jacob Neo Dolezel

Ivette Alexandra Duran Montero

Elvin Josue Duron Cabrera

Maddelynn Jade Eitel-Cantilena

Anika Reese Engberg

Matthew Edward Cwik Brooklyn Delgado-Jones

Johanna Delgado-Jones

Brian M. Delli

Madison Elisabeth Diamond

Evelyn Michelle Diaz

WOODSTOCK HIGH SCHOOL 2024 GRADUATES

Lucas Gene Iversen

Caleb Joseph Jackson

Niles Robert Jackson

Matthew Michael Jerz

Cassidy Amara Jeschke

Hunter Conrad Johanson

Liam F. Hanson

Dominick Jacob Harris Kayla Hernandez Garduno

Josselyn Hernandez-Ortiz

Jimena Hernandez

Julian Christopher Hoak

Isabella Suzanne Grimes

Annabelle Nicole Groves

Robert Michael Gustafson

Sophia Delphine Haggerty

Ebba Anna Sofia Hammarstedt

Austin David Hansen

Elizabeth Garcia-Estrada

Emma Marie Gehl-Pagan

Charles Nirut Gilmore

Jonathan Gomez Vazquez

Asia Desirree Griffin Savannah Leighanne Griffin

WOODSTOCK HIGH SCHOOL 2024 GRADUATES

The Woodstock

Arely Natalie Martinez Mondragon

Fredy Alan Mejia Almanza

Andrew Abraham Mendoza Dominguez

Michelle Mendoza

Aliyah Meraz

Hailey Elizabeth Meyer

Constanze Lipicki

Nicky Ray Lively

Julianna Lopez Godinez

Celeste Lopez Quintero

Aaron Benjamin Lus

Julianee Sariff Marquez Licona

Tanda Elizabeth Krich

Alexandra Margaret Lange

Brynn Olivia Layton

Alvin Alexander Lebron Rosado

Ivan Nathanel Leiva

Olivia Mae Lewis

Scotty Stone Juarez

Samantha Rae Karner

Brooke Marie Kashmier

Kamila Jeannie Kay

Jacob Alton Kimble

Jaxon John Koop

WOODSTOCK HIGH SCHOOL 2024 GRADUATES

Devon Lucien Oliveira

Betzi Ordaz

Mara Emmanuelle Eastman Ornstein

Sofia Bella Oropeza

Yamileth Ortega Lopez

Andrea Ortega

Sofia Nilsson

Jewel Earlene Noble Melanie Nunez

Saphire Angelica Nyberg-King

Allison Elizabeth O’Brien

Blake Daniel O’Leary

Tyler Emerson Moon

Naomi Bridget Morales Romero

Natalie Ann Morrow

Jamahl Tarique Mumford

Anthony Joseph Natola

Sophia Claire Neubauer

Macy Christine Meyer Layla Reese Mickle

Maximus Joseph Miller Daisy Moctezuma

Mallory Maya Moctezuma

Brian Paul Molo

WOODSTOCK HIGH SCHOOL 2024 GRADUATES

Erick Bennett Porquillo

Brenda Johanna Quintero Martinez

Jessica Guadalupe Quintero Tapia

Nathan Peter Rake

Diego Ramirez

Rudy Jr. Ramirez

Rafael Perez Keaton Matthew Perkins Jayden Lucas Peterson Kyle James Plucinski

Stephanie Ponce Valeria Porquillo

Ishan Kalpesh Patel Piya Dushyant Patel Veer Vijay Patel

Bode Christian Pedersen

Juan Pedro Perez Estrada

Jesus Perez

Antonia Osorio Reyes

Hannah Elizabeth Pacini

Cooper Ryan Crawford Pajich

Maricarmen Paredes-Lopez

Keaton John Parrish

Aryan Kalpesh Patel

Anna Olivia Regna Bryce Charles Regna

David Rendon Lopez

Abraham David Renteria

Jocelyn Rico

Jose Carlos Rivas Rodriguez

WOODSTOCK HIGH SCHOOL 2024 GRADUATES

Adilene Athziry Sanchez Padilla Valerie Payton Sardelli

Renee Patricia Schleutermann

Annabelle Marie Schneiderman

Hailey Allissa Scott Donzell Sharp

Lorelai Rose Romano Jamari Nicholas Ross

Alexander Ronald Ryan

Cassidy L. Ryan

Javier Salgado

Yuridia Sanchez Garcia

Narjis Fatima Rizvi

Jovani Jesus Robles Arellano

Payton Thomas Rockwood

Emily Rodriguez Guadarrama

Jacob Paul Roeder Andrews Rojano-Avila

Lucas Ian Shoffner

Cohen Anselm Shutt

Ava Ann-Katherine Sieck

Jack Simonton

Sarah Anne Sites

Faith Jeanette Michelle Smith

WOODSTOCK HIGH SCHOOL 2024 GRADUATES

Trinity Marie Tudor

Abigail Vazquez Pastor

Andrew J Vega Ryan

Samantha Vences

Joshua Joel Villa

Ariel Rose Villavicencio

Katarina Jovonne Suggs Lily Frances Swanson

Cody Ryan Tillman

Ellen Grace Tinkler

Grace Maureen Topf

Kennedy Rose Treliving

Jonah Keller Snook Cameron Cooper St. John

Madelyn Carroll Stachura

Frank Daniel Stallman

Hallie N. Steponaitis

Alexis Mae Stone

Andrew Martin Zawadzki

Addison Grace Walker Lillian Grace Webley

Tianna Pauline West

Ella Krisha White

Gracee Williams

Reagan Marie Wormley

Nicole Cavalea sells her herbal Ivy Nicole health and beauty products at the farmers’

and Saturday.

New vendors attracted to ‘a really great market Woodstock

By Susan W. Murray NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Having moved out of Building D at the McHenry County Fairgrounds a month ago for the summer season, the Woodstock Farmers’ Market is thriving on the Woodstock Square on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Five new vendors have joined the 2024 line-up, each with a similar response to what drew them to open a booth in Woodstock.

“It’s a really great market,” said Nicole Cavalea, who owns Ivy Nicole Natural Remedies.

‘A business by accident’

Cavalea established her business six years ago, but this is her first year at the Woodstock Farmers’ Market,

Farmers Market includes new additions

where she sells her Ivy Nicole products on Tuesdays and Saturdays.

“I’ve always been interested in natural health,” said Cavalea, who has a nursing background and is a yoga instructor.

When Cavalea’s daughter was little, she suffered from eczema. To help her daughter, Cavalea “did a lot of reading and experimenting” with natural ingredients to create skincare products.

At first, the products were just for her family, then by word-of-mouth, for friends.

“It became a business by accident,” Cavalea said.

Cavalea creates her lotions, cleansers, moisturizers, lip balms, and hair products with herbal ingredients in her own kitchen.

Her lip balms, dandelion body butter, and bug bite sticks that relieve itching are especially popular with customers, she said.

Cavalea had been selling her Ivy Nicole line at the farmers’ market at the Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake and was “heavily referred to Woodstock” by other vendors.

“A lot of people support it,” she said.

‘A good fit’ for Woodstock

Chef Joanne Thomas appeared at the Woodstock Farmers’ Market sporadically in 2023, but she has settled into an every-Saturday schedule this year.

Thomas sells her own products: spice blends, gourmet butter, vegan

See MARKET Page 24

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office April 29 to May 2.

■ Residence at 178 Bloomfield Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Susan Arellano-Bravo, Woodstock, to Nicole Haltom, Woodstock, for $349,000.

■ Residence at 1093 Castleshire Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Mark Jacob Damptz, Crystal Lake, to Philip J. Berntson, Woodstock, for $180,000.

■ Residence at 1803 Clay St., Woodstock, was sold by Christopher Marvel, Poplar Grove, to Cainen L. Clemons, Woodstock, for $238,000.

■ Residence at 640 Schumann St., Woodstock, was sold by Marc Scott, Palatine, to Rony Lombardo, Woodstock, for $303,000.

■ Residence at 2512 Mustang Trail, Woodstock, was sold by James Stahlecker, McHenry, to Patrick Bruhn, Woodstock, for $485,000.

■ Residence at 14618 Dogwood Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Marie Denise Hoover, Crystal Lake, to Drew Walkington, Woodstock, for $417,000.

■ Residence at 10438 Deerpath Road, Woodstock, was sold by Donald J. Deihs, Oracle, Ariz., to Joseph Smith, Woodstock, for $1,030,000.

■ Residence at 8417 Ramble Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by Marciann Bock, McHenry, to Daniel Wormley, Wonder Lake, for $25,000.

■ Commercial building, at 2245 S. Eastwood Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Elizabeth L. Annetti, Woodstock, to Harley Hart Properties LLC, Woodstock, for $390,000.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

market every Tuesday

MARKET

salad dressing, and fry batters. In addition, she works as a chef for “two to 250 people.”

At a recent market, a customer asked Thomas to create an intimate dinner for the customer and her husband. The prior week, she had catered a wedding for 125 guests.

Thomas has been cooking since she was six years old.

“I started with my Easy-Bake oven,” she said.

Growing up in Chicago, Thomas’s family’s upstairs neighbor made everything, including yeast rolls, from scratch.

While the neighbor’s daughter played outside, Thomas was in the neighbor’s kitchen - first watching, then helping.

When Thomas was still a child, she created her own tomato-based mild sauce, beloved in the Black community as a condiment for fried chicken, french fries, and almost anything else.

Thomas launched Chef Joanne Thomas as a part-time business in 2006. As she was trying to get her name out, people told her that she needed to sell at a farmers’ market.

“I didn’t want to be in the heat!” she said.

Persuaded to give the Huntley Farmers’ Market near her home a try, Thomas found the experience “amazing.”

Aware that Woodstock hosted a large market, Thomas contacted the market’s manager, who told her that she would be “a good fit” for Woodstock.

Thomas said that her OMGarlic butter is a hit with customers, and she sells pre-made entrees on the first and third Saturdays of the month, such as fried chicken and OMGarlic butter fries.

“People line up for that,” she said. Thomas is becoming well-known as a chef, with appearances lined up at the Essence Festival in New Orleans in July, at the Black Women’s Expo at McCormick Place in August, and at the Great Food Expo in Rosemont in October. In addition, two of her self-published cookbooks are sold on Amazon.

A shared love of baking

Kylie DuBrock named Oxalis Bakery in tribute to her grandmother,

Chef Joanne Thomas displays her cookbook, “You Can Cook Too” at her booth alongside her spice blends, gourmet butter, vegan salad dressing, and fry batters. For those who don’t want to cook themselves, Thomas is a traveling chef for “two to 250” people.

Kylie DuBrock and her husband, Alex, stand behind her array of decorated sugar cookies. Oxalis Bakery is named for Kylie’s grandmother with whom she shared a love of baking. Her grandmother gave Kylie an oxalis plant shortly before she passed away.

with whom she often baked. Shortly before her grandmother passed away, she gave DuBrock an oxalis plant, a variety of shamrock with purple leaves.

“I’ve baked and done artsy stuff since I was little,” DuBrock said.

She has worked in bakeries as a decorator and has done “lots of baking at home.”

While DuBrock has concentrated on baking cookies for five or six years, she started her business at the beginning of 2024. Her husband, Alex, helps with ingredient preparation, social media, and market

From hobby to business

Paul San Filippo enjoyed a long career as a videographer in corporate and sports settings.

“I liked taking pictures when I shot video,” he said, “but I didn’t have the time to pursue photography then.”

Since his retirement, San Filippo has devoted himself to photography. His favorite subjects are eagles“or anything that flies,” he said. He also enjoys photographing landscapes; sunrises, sunsets, and the northern lights are closest to his heart.

A photograph he composed with the sun rising over a pier has been his biggest seller, and he’s experimenting with getting shots of stars and the Milky Way.

San Filippo lives in Cary and has been trying out different venues to sell his work. He had a booth at an arts and crafts show in Cary and one at the flea market in Wilmot. San Filippo Photographic will be at the farmers’ market on 10 Tuesdays this year.

As the only photographer with a booth, he has the [Woodstock Farmers’] market cornered.

“It’s nice to see someone selling photography,” a customer recently told him.

selling.

When she moved to McHenry County, she “loved the Woodstock Farmers’ Market.”

DuBrock bakes her decorated sugar cookies four days a week in Ethereal’s incubator kitchen on the second floor of the Old Courthouse Center. She turns out batches for the Saturday farmers’ market and to fill custom orders.

Her smiley-face and flower cookies are her top sellers, she said, as is anything holiday-related, such as star cookies with red, white, and blue icing for Memorial Day.

Paul San Filippo of San Filippo Photographic is selling his nature photography at 10 Tuesday markets. The shot just below him of a pier at sunrise is his most popular print.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY SUE MURRAY

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Community

A day for remembering...

Somber ceremony features Vietnam veteran Lou Ness

Woodstock Memorial Day ceremony:

Army Chaplain Lt. Col. Dave Brady puts his hand over his heart during the National Anthem.

John Widmayer plays Taps. VFW Post 5040 Vice Commander Fred Strauss (center) ahead of the three-volley salute.

By Tricia Carzoli NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Memorial Day began with a somber tone on the Square. A more blustery day than usual drew fewer people into the center of town than expected, but the crowd grew throughout the morning.

VFW Post 5040 Vice Commander Ed Chambers emceed the ceremony that saw McHenry County Board member and veteran of the Vietnam War Lou Ness as guest speaker as well as parade marshal. Ness spoke about the importance of sharing stories and ensuring that

the lives of those who were taken too quickly in service are never forgotten. She used her vocation as chaplain as her speaking platform, expressing to a large group how much the stories mattered to her, and then sharing with the community a story from her ministry.

Miss Woodstock Maggie Adams sang the National Anthem and read General Logan’s Orders. VFW Post 5040 Patriot’s Pen winner Dariya Cager recited the Pledge of Allegiance, Little Miss Woodstock McKenna MacAdow read The American’s Creed, and VFW Post 5040 chaplain Glynn Bradley offered the invocation.

Woodstock North High School recent graduate Emerich Parpart played the drums during the changing of the flag presented by Mayor Mike Turner and Moose Lodge 1329 President Zach Olson.

Mayor Turner also presented the

wreath at the foot of the Sentinel with Ness.

After a moment of silence and a closing prayer by Bradley, the Woodstock VFW Post 5040 Honor Guard performed their three-volley salute ahead of “America the Beautiful.”

As is tradition on the Square, a Memorial Day parade took place led by the Marine Corps League Color Guard, VFW Post 5040, and the Woodstock American Legion, with Ness walking the route throwing candy immediately after.

Woodstock Willie rode with Councilwoman Melissa McMahon along the route that also was filled with organizations and sports teams from end to end. Some of the participants included St. John’s Lutheran Church Outreach program, United Methodist church, Girls Scouts of Northern Illinois, Woodstock Youth Football and Cheer, Woodstock Little League, Woodstock Girls Softball,

Woodstock United Soccer, Holzlager Brewing, Woodstock High School Wrestling Cyclones, Poms, and dance, Country Club Dental, Home of the Sparrow, Shell Studios, The Woodstock Independent, The Democratic Party of McHenry County, Napoli’s Restaurant, Midas Touch, The Free Masons, Sunburst Corvette Club, CAATS Car Club, Family Dentistry, Midwest Renegades Drill Team and the Woodstock Fire Department.

Katie Shaykin, Cary, said she and a group of friends from Crystal Lake and Cary come every year to the Woodstock Memorial Day ceremony and parade because, “it is always the best.”

Cheyanne Bierman, Emma Bierman, and Lilah Mungle brought “Dixie” Bierman, a 13-week puppy to her first Memorial Day on the Square.

“She loved it,” Mungle said.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Lou Ness

Ride to leave the lights on

Show support by buying strings of lights to decorate a bike or yourself

By Sandy Kucharski NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

One of the more unique events of the summer in Woodstock, the Ride/ Walk to Leave a Light On, will take place from 7 to 10 p.m., Friday, June 14, on the Square.

The fourth annual fundraiser, presented by Community Connections for Youth, is highlighted by a family-friendly evening procession that leaves from the Square, winds through nearby residential neighborhoods, and returns to the Square. Participants ride bikes or walk, draped with strands of LED lights. There are eight different colors of light strands and each color represents one of the eight local nonprofits that will benefit from the event. The monies raised are generated by the sale of light strings ($9 each), event sponsors, and donations.

Benefitting organizations are: Community Connections for Youth, Jail Brakers, Compassion4Campers, Break Teen Center, Illinois Migrant Council, Live4Laki, Woodstock Pride, and Stairway to Prosperity. Ken West, who developed the

AND THE WINNER IS...

A bike is shown decked out with battery-powered light strings.

event four years ago, emphasized that 100 percent of everything donated goes to the nonprofits. “The entire cost [of the light strands] is covered, and nothing is subtracted to cover costs,” he said, adding that these are all medium to small, fully vetted nonprofits, ranging from 8 to 30 years in operation.

West said the inspiration for the event title came from a Tom Walker song, “Leave a Light On.”

He said, “The song suggests that in your life you’re a person someone who’s struggling can go to.”

The event boasts something for everyone, from procession participants to the pre- and post-ride party, which includes an ice cream social and live music on the Square the entire evening. Festivities begin at 7 p.m. when riders/walkers gather. Instructions for participants and spoken word will begin at 8:15 as the

sun disappears, and the lights go on and the procession begins at 8:40 p.m. Taking less than an hour to traverse the route, particpants will be welcomed back about 9:25 with live music which will continue until 10 p.m.

The slow-paced ride is easy –about 30 minutes long – for both adults and children. Residents along the route have been informed that riders and walkers will be passing by. Many participate by purchasing lights and cheering participants on.

“It’s easy-peasy,” said West. “A third of the people will ride, a third will walk, and a third will buy lights and put them on themselves.” He added, “If you can’t make it, purchase some strands and donate them back for others to use.”

Choose any of the three options – ride, walk, or sit and eat ice cream and enjoy the music – West emphasizes that purchasing light strands is the key to the success of the event. Light strands can be purchased in person at Material Things Artisan Market, 103 E. Van Buren St., or online at https://materialthingsartisanmarket.myncrsilver.com.

The grand prize in the Rotary Club of Woodstock’s Jeep raffle was drawn May 29 at Kishwaukee Brewing Co. After a good roll of the drum, the ticket drawn belonged to Dennis Anderson, Woodstock. Anderson will have his choice of a 2024 Jeep Wrangler 4-door Sport or $40,000 cash.

Pictured at the drawing: Tim Benny, Breanne Wicker, Natalie Ziemba, Mayor Mike Turner, and Al Schmitt.

Four winners of the day were also drawn, each receiving $500 cash. Those cash winners included: Kent Dukes, Georgetown, IL; Lynn Owen, Woodstock; Dawn Noble, Utica, NY; and Lyle Giese, Woodstock.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

COURTESY PHOTO

Happenings

WOODSTOCK PRIDEFEST

Rainbow Run, 9 to 11 a.m.

Emricson Park

Pub Crawl, 6 to 10 p.m.

5 WEDNESDAY

TLC’S TREE AND SHRUB IDENTIFICATION

Ryders Woods

750 Kimball St.

10 to 11:30 a.m.

$10

https://conservmc.org/ tree-and-shrub-identification-3/

WOODSTOCK CITY BAND

Park in the Square

“Sail the Ocean Blue” Ice cream social

7 p.m.

KARAOKE NIGHT

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 to 9 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

6 THURSDAY

SLC TRIVIA NIGHT - PUB

TRIVIA USA

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

woodstockoperahouse.com

8 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

Woodstock Square

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

woodstockfarmersmarket.org Music: TBA

Woodstock Square

BULL VALLEY 2ND ANNUAL CAR SHOW

Fellowship of Faith Church 6120 Mason Hill Road, McHenry

Check-in 8 a.m.

9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

$30 entry fee, proceeds support Living with the Land Free for public 847-445-6551

JUDITH SVALANDER DANCE THEATRE - ‘THE SLEEPING BEAUTY’

Woodstock Opera House

121 W. Van Buren St.

2 and 7 p.m.

$25

woodstockoperahouse.com

WARP CORPS YOUTH OPEN MIC

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

$5

9 SUNDAY

WOODSTOCK PRIDEFEST

Woodstock Square

Parade and festivities 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

10 MONDAY

COFFEE WITH THE CHIEF

Woodstock Police Department 656 Lake Ave.

7 p.m. 815-338-6787

11 TUESDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

Woodstock Square

8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

woodstockfarmersmarket.org

Music: Nate Bjorn

SPELLING BEE

Stage Left Café

125 W. Van Buren St.

7 p.m.

$7

woodstockoperahouse.com

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.

To submit calendar items, email

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

‘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

Resurrection Catholic Church

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.

FLASHBACKS

35 years ago – 1989

■ A strike at Woodstock Die Cast by members of United Auto Workers Local 922 was in its seventh month.

■ A fire at Village Market West forced the Wonder Lake grocery store on Thompson Road to close until it could be rebuilt.

■ Mark G. Plunkett and Cheryl Zopp were named valedictorian and salutatorian, respectively, at Marian Central Catholic High School. Bernard Chen was valedictorian at Woodstock High School, and Tonya Hennen and Andrew Ragland were named WHS co-salutatorians.

30 years ago –1994

■ The Woodstock City Council submitted a “good faith offer” to the Environmental Protection Agency regarding the cleanup of the municipal landfill site on Davis Road. The property was first used as a landfill in the 1930s. The city purchased it in 1968 and stopped using it in 1975. The dump was officially closed in 1980. Follwing an EPA investigation in 1985, it was placed on the IPA’s Superfund list in 1988, beause the dump accepted industrial waste and the location was within two miles of a public water supply.

■ Concerned Taxpayers for Integrity in Government was leading a push to eliminate township government in McHenry County.

25 years ago – 1999

■ The City Council approved the purchase of the former Benoy Auto property on Lake Avenue as the site for a new police station.

■ Tom Brink announced he would be retiring after 22 years as president of the Woodstock Little League.

20 years ago – 2004

■ Woodstock Theatre’s midnight showing of “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban” was sold out well in advance of the movie’s premier. Lucky ticket holders from all parts of the county arrived early, some dressed in Potteresque costumes.

JUNE 1, 1994 – Five members of the Woodstock High School tennis team qualified for the IHSA state tournament. They are: kneeling, left to right, Brian Gilleland and Jason Jeong. Standing: Neil Millburger, Jeff Lidinsky, and Mike Myshkowec.

■ Bar owners and residents turned out in force for a City Council meeting at which an ordinance setting noise-level limits at establishments serving alcohol was discussed.

15 years ago – 2009

■ Tyler Read was the WHS Class of 2009 valedictorian. In all, 402 graduates received diplomas.

■ Dean Street Elementary School students spent several weeks collecting loose change to purchase new playground equipment for the school. They

searched under couch cushions, in coat pockets, in their families’ cars, and even emptied their own piggy banks. When the change was counted, they had collected $900.

■ Maggie Field Crane retired after 38 years of service at the Woodstock Public Library. She was library director for 28 years and oversaw many facility and program expansions.

10 years ago – 2014

■ After 14 years of waiting, work began on U.S. 14 lane additions between

Woodstock and Crystal Lake. The 3-mile project between West Lake Shore Drive and Lucas Road had an estimated cost of $25.7 million.

■ The Woodstock North High School madrigal singers and director Megan Kim were in Ireland. Their 10-day tour included visits to Dublin, Belfast, Kilkenny, and Galway, with performances in churches and castles.

5 years ago – 2019

■ The District 200 Board of Education voted to acquire the Challenger Learning Center and move it to Olson Elementary School. Aurora University, which had operated and housed Challenger for three years, had been in talks with D-200 since mid-March. The plan included the donation of Challenger’s space simulator and related items as well as a $340,000 cash contribution.

■ Areli Ortiz was crowned Miss Woodstock. Charlotte McMahon Thomas was named Little Miss Woodstock.

■ The Woodstock City Band’s opening concert of its 135th season celebrated the 175th anniversary of Alvin Judd’s 1844 plan for Woodstock, including a square in the middle of carefully gridded streets. Judd’s plan included eastwest streets named: Judd, Jackson, Calhoun, and South. The north-south streets were West, Hayward, Tryon, Throop, Dean, Jefferson, Madison, and East.

1 years ago – 2023

■ In setting a school record of 8 minutes, 4.78 seconds, Woodstock High School’s 3,200-meter relay team earned a seventh place medal in the state track championships. WHS runners were two sets of brothers, Ishan and Aryan Patel and Ellery and Cohen Shutt – three juniors and a freshman.

■ Woodstock’s annual Challenge Run became the Melisa O’Leary Memorial Splash Bash 5K and 1-mile Family Fun Run. The event raised funds for a splash pad at Woodstock Water Works in the name of the former pool manager and school social worker who had died the previous year.

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO BY DENNIS MATHES

RUBES

By Leigh Rubin HEATHCLIFF By Peter Gallagher

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

SOLUTION

CRYPTO FUN

AL BUNDY

CARL WINSLOW

CYRUS ROSE

DAN CONNER

DANNY TANNER

ERIC TAYLOR

FRANK COSTANZA

FRED ANDREWS

GOMEZ ADDAMS

HOMER SIMPSON

JACK PEARSON

JAMES EVANS SR

JASON SEAVER

LOUIS HUANG

MICHAEL KYLE

MIKE BRADY

MITCH LEERY

NED STARK

PHIL DUNPHY

PHILIP BANKS

RON SWANSON

TONY MICELLI

TONY SOPRANO

WALTER WHITE

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on MAY 10, 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 SARAH FAITH PHOTOGRAPHY located at 4707 JOYCE LANE MCHENRY, IL 60050. Owner Name & Address: SARAH FAITH 4707 JOYCE LANE MCHENRY, IL 60050.

Dated: MAY 10, 2024

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

(Published in The Woodstock Independent May 22, 2024, May 29, 2024, June 5, 2024)L11795

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)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)L11797

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE C IRCUIT 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 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)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)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)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)L11802

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Hearing Notice

City of Woodstock Plan Commission Notice is hereby given in compliance with the City of Woodstock Unified Development Ordinance that the City of Woodstock Plan Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 2nd Floor at 121 West Calhoun Street, Woodstock, Illinois. The hearing will be in regard to a petition submitted by Sean Sivore, owner, for approval of a variation to allow a second-floor deck to encroach 12 feet into a required side yard setback for a proposed residence on Lot 23 of Bull Valley Golf Club Subdivision, Phase 5. Said lot is located at the northwest corner of Galloway Drive and Club Road, which will have the address of 1111 Galloway Drive, Woodstock, Illinois. The Permanent Index Number 13-10-102001. A copy of the petition which is the subject of this public hearing is on file

and available for public viewing at Woodstock City Hall. Anyone wishing to comment may attend the meeting and be heard. Written comments may be submitted to the Department of Building & Zoning Department at City Hall on or before 5:00 p.m. on the day of the hearing.

/s/ Cody Sheriff, Plan Commission Chairman

(Published in The Woodstock Independent June 5, 2024)L11803

PUBLIC NOTICE

Public Hearing Notice

City of Woodstock Plan Commission Notice is hereby given in compliance with the City of Woodstock Unified Development Ordinance that the City of Woodstock Plan Commission will conduct a public hearing on Thursday, June 20, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers, 2nd Floor at 121 West Calhoun Street, Woodstock, Illinois. The hearing will be in regard to a petition submitted by Rafael Castaneda, owner, for approval of a variation to allow a pavilion to be constructed with a front yard setback of 9.5 feet instead of the required 30 feet for a structure in the Washington Street/ Illinois Route 120 Corridor Overlay District on the commercial property at 310 Washington Street, Woodstock, Illinois. The Permanent Index Number 13-05-302-019. A copy of the petition which is the subject of this public hearing is on file and available for public viewing at Woodstock City Hall. Anyone wishing to comment may attend the meeting and be heard. Written comments may be submitted to the Department of Building & Zoning Department at City Hall on or before 5:00 p.m. on the day of the hearing.

/s/ Cody Sheriff, Plan Commission Chairman

(Published in The Woodstock Independent June 5, 2024)L11804

Sports

WHS

4x8

By Lisa Kunzie NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Woodstock High School’s 4x800m relay team returned to the podium this season, taking the 9th place medal at the IHSA 2A state track meet finals May 25.

In a remarkably fast field, the team of brothers - seniors Aryan and Ishan Patel with senior Cohen and sophomore Ellery Shutt - ran a 7:57.33 to break their own school record for the fourth time since setting it at the sectional meet last year. Relay anchor Ishan Patel split a 1:52.44, the fastest split in the event in all of 2A. His time, if run in an individual race, would have also broken WHS’ 800m record of 1:53.81 set in 2002 by Jake Hack.

“Running at state this year was surreal, knowing that it was our final year running for Woodstock and last chance to do something great,” said Ishan Patel. “There was a lot of energy going into the race.”

“I feel accomplished with the idea that four years of hard work has paid off,” Aryan Patel added. “It does, however, pain me to know that I won’t be able to get these years back

Woodstock High School medalists and record holders in the 4x800 relay pose for a photo at the IHSA 2A state track meet May 25. Pictured, from left: Ellery Shutt, Aryan Patel, Cohen Shutt, and Ishan Patel.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS

BY LISA KUNZIE

Woodstock North High School brothers –Braelan and Landan Creighton – stand on the blue oval at Eastern Illinois University.

medals at boys state track

WNHS brothers hit best marks

with my brothers and that state was the final race ever, but we have left our mark on the program.”

“Truly, we are so fortunate to have one another and to have coaches who are so dedicated to the program,” said Cohen Shutt. “I will miss being a Blue Streak athlete and running with my brothers, but this won’t be the last time you read about the Woodstock High School track team, hopefully for reasons other than a new 4x800m relay school record!”

“We knew after last year we could do it again, so growing and training with these guys all year long was truly a treat,” said sophomore Ellery Shutt. “I couldn’t have asked for anything better than this 4x8 team and what we accomplished together.”

Sprints to shot put

Individual qualifiers for the Blue Streaks included Ishan Patel and Ellery Shutt in the 1600m, Aryan Patel in the 800m, senior Charlie Gilmore

in the high jump (a first-year track member who decided to first try out the event in late April), senior Nolan Van Hoorn in the 100m dash, and two-time qualifier senior Tyler Moon in the shot put. According to state qualifying lists dating back to 1996 from the IHSA archived state series information and results page, WHS has had a steady stream of high jumpers and distance runners qualify over the years, but Van Hoorn, who ran a personal best of 11.0 seconds in the state prelims, is the first 100m qualifier since school-record holder Zach Digney qualified 24 years ago. Moon, who threw 49’ 5” (15.06m) for 16th place in state, is the only state-qualifying shot put thrower for the Streaks listed among

available online records from the past 28 years. WHS’ shot put school record was set by Ron Genot in 1977.

Next steps

In the fall, Ishan Patel and Cohen Shutt plan to attend the University of Kansas to study mechanical engineering, Aryan Patel will head to the University of Missouri to study biological sciences on the pre-med track; Gilmore is playing football at Aurora University and double majoring in business administration and finance; and at Illinois State University, Van Hoorn will study computer science, while Moon is pursuing actuarial science.

WNHS brothers

On the North side, Creighton brothers senior Landan and sophomore Braelan, repped for the Thunder in the triple jump and pole vault at state, respectively. Both boys ended their seasons with personal record marks made in their prelims. In the triple jump, Landan bested his state-qualifying performance by 2” for a jump of 42’ 8.25” (13.01m). Braelan ended his high-flying season

Continued on NEXT Page

COURTESY PHOTO

Charlie Gilmore

Nolan Van Hoorn

Tyler Moon

SPLASH BASH AND RESULTS

INDEPENDENT

PHOTOS BY VICKY LONG

Brian and Raeley Kane (above) run through the sprinkler in the fun run, and Grace and Ella Schact dance among the bubbles.

with a 12’ 5” (3.80m) vault.

“I was excited to go down to state with my brother for his last year,” Braelan said. “When we got down there and started practicing, I wasn’t looking so good: Cicadas flying everywhere and the sun just draining. I didn’t have so much of a positive mindset going into the day of my competition, but I cleared everything out of my head and remembered everything my coaches told me and I went out and got a PR.”

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

It was a photo finish for the top overall top spot in the Melissa O’Leary Splash Bash Memorial Run May 25 at Emricson Park. Steven Austin, 20, Harvard, and Alexander Wickersheim, 20, Woodstock, both posted final times of 17:53. Austin is listed as top finisher. Lily Novelle, 17, Woodstock, was the overall top female finisher. The 5k had 264 entries, ranging from age 1 (in a stroller) to 73.

NN SCOREBOARD NN

“State was something different this year,” Landan said. “Not only because I didn’t qualify in the pole vault, which I have in the three years prior, but because I got to go with my little brother. I wish I could have made it to finals or placed, which I was totally capable of doing, but I at least ended my season with a personal best jump in the triple jump.”

Landan plans to attend EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University in Daytona, Florida, to study aviation maintenance and compete in track and field.

WHS ALL-CONFERENCE ATHLETES

Baseball

Sam Chapman

Girls Soccer

Natalie Morrow

Lily Novelle

Softball

Tipper Axelson

Jade Sanders

Girls Track & Field

Corrine Bures

Anna Crenshaw

Savannah Griffin

Amina Idris

Yaxiri Juarez

Sophia Mendoza

Sopie Sarabia

Hallie Steponaitis

Boys Tennis

Daniel Bychowski

Brett Neuhart

Cooper Pajich

Daniel Peralta

Stewart Reuter

Jacob Roeder

Brett Walsh

Boys Track & Field

Charlie Baker

Jakob Crown

Charlie Gilmore

Milo McLeer

Tyler Moon

Aryan Patel

Ishan Patel

Cohen Shutt

Ellery Shutt

Sam Tafoya

Nolan Van Hoorn

WNHS ALL-CONFERENCE ATHLETES

Baseball

Cade Blaksley

Girls Soccer

Addison Rishling

Emma Svitak

Stella Splendoria

Abby Ward

Softball

Krista Herrmann

Aly Jordan

Addison Salazar

Casey Vermett

Girls Track & Field

Bella Borta

Ashley Janeczko

Lauren Bieszczad