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IN BRIEF Families can win holiday faire by playing bingo
Woodstock Public Library cardholders and family members can play for Thanksgiving-related prizes and pieces of the feast in a virtual bingo game from 2 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 21.
The library will host virtual turkey bingo via Zoom. Email katieb@woodstockil.info for the link. Prize pickup will be Monday, Nov. 23.
Visit woodstockpubliclibrary.org.
Library offers virtual DIY holiday gift seminars
In a year where people find themselves spending more time at home, making holiday gifts from the kitchen might be the perfect option. The Woodstock Library is ready to help, offering two virtual programs, DIY Holiday Gifts and Treats from the Kitchen.
Tune in from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 7, for a virtual bread-making class with Andrea Pracht of My Kitchen Clatter. Andrea will share her recipe for sugar cardamon bread. The class will cover the basics of yeast bread making, shaping, and packaging for a special presentation.
Pracht will also be the instructor for a second class from 7 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9, where she will share her recipe for a sweet, slightly spicy holiday jam that will work on sandwiches or morning toast.
In addition to teaching the basics of water-bath canning, Pract will share ideas on how to package preserves for gift giving.
The bread and jam will pair together nicely for a personal, homemade holiday gift.
Email katieb@woodstockil.info for the link.
It’s not too late to join the annual Christmas Parade
The annual Woodstock Christmas Parade will step off at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 29, from Woodstock Water Works.
Individuals and groups interested in participating can contact the Woodstock Opera House for details at 815-338-4212. Register online at woodstockil.gov/community/page/ woodstocks-annual-christmas-parade.
Engineering student has artist’s touch
By Jan Dovidio NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
One local student has combined his engineering studies with success in art.
Benjamin Reuter, a 2020 graduate of Marian Central Catholic High School, is now a freshman at RoseHulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind.
“I am a chemical engineering major,” he said, “a very broad field of work in practically every industry where chemical processes are involved in the manufacturing process. I don’t know which industry I want to go into yet.”
Reuter’s studies are going well with a mix of in-person and online classes while living on campus.
From an early age, his interest in science existed alongside a talent in art.
“I got my first set of watercolor paints, paper, and brushes for my 11th birthday,” Reuter said. “My desire to paint simply did not die out. When I was in eighth grade, my mom signed me up to take lessons from Gale Trausch, a professional artist in Woodstock. This was my first real instruction in watercolor.”
Trausch soon recommended that Reuter take a class taught by her husband, Thomas Trausch, also a professional artist and art instructor. Those lessons continued through high school.
“He taught me ‘plein air’ [outdoor] lessons during the summer,” Reuter explained. “This experience of painting outdoors from direct observation offers many new challenges and opportunities for growth. This continues to be the single most effective way for me to hone my skill.”
He paints exclusively in watercolors, including landscapes and florals. The peacefulness, simplicity, and familiarity of ordinary scenes inspire him.
Reuter has sold several of his paintings in a variety of ways. He has used shows and events, friends and family, and a website called Artzipper.com that displays some of his work.
“Many people see art and science
COURTESY PHOTO
