Woodstock Independent 11/20/19 by Woodstock Independent

The

Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT

Nov. 20-26, 2019

Published every Wednesday | Est. 1987 | Serving Woodstock, Wonder Lake and Bull Valley, Ill. | www.thewoodstockindependent.com | $1.00

Study hikes city pay levels Minimum wage increases in 2020 will add to budget By Larry Lough

LARRY@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Dozens of city of Woodstock employees found a little something extra in their paychecks last week. But the raises they received were nothing personal. They just happened to be in jobs that a recent wage study

MARKETPLACE

Get a look inside the newest antique shop in Woodstock PAGE 15

NEWS

showed were being underpaid. “It’s not about the person,” City Manager Roscoe Stelford said. “It’s about the position.” So seniority and job performance were not factors, he explained. The biggest annual jump was more than $12,500 for the streets superintendent, who will make a little more

than $80,000 under the new pay schedule. That will be the same annual pay as the parks and facilities superintendent, who received a $7,900 raise, and the superintendent of fleet maintenance, whose pay increased more than $6,000. All three are positions in See RAISES Page 2

JUMPIN’ JACKRABBIT!

‘Save Our Streets’ meeting to discuss street work, gas tax

PAGE 5

COMMUNITY

Woodstock man walks toward a new Guiness World Record PAGE 19

INDEX Obituaries

Opinion

Schools A&E

9 11

Marketplace 15 Community

Calendar

Classified

Puzzles

Public Notice 29 Sports

The Woodstock Independent 671 E. Calhoun St.,Woodstock, IL 60098 Phone: 815-338-8040 Fax: 815-338-8177 Thewoodstock independent. com

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY VICKI LONG

Brooke Amann enjoys the moment at a ceremony where she signed a national letter of intent to play volleyball at South Dakota State University. She Is the first student from Woodstock North High School to receive a full athletic scholarship to a Division I program out of high school. See Page 30.

After OFAC, services will continue By Larry Lough

LARRY@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Woodstock’s homeless assistance center, operating in the former city fire station at South and Throop streets for the past four years, will close this week. A news release from the city on Friday said OFAC – Old Firehouse

Assistance Center – would end operations Thursday, Nov. 21. City Manager Roscoe Stelford said that decision was made by the Board of Directors of the McHenry County Housing Authority. The housing authority has leased the former fire station as a center to offer services to the homeless, such as job placement and housing

assistance, as well as to provide meals and a shower. “It’s been very successful,” Kim Ulbrich, executive director of the authority, said about the program. “We look forward to continuing it, ... but it won’t be at one permanent site.” Stelford said the city’s involvement was only as landlord. See OFAC Page 3

NEWS

Nov. 20-26, 2019

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

RAISES

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the Public Works Department. The city’s IT director got a $3,500 bump to more than $110,000. Those four were among seven fulltime, salaried employees on the list of more than 70 employees who were “brought up to minimum” under a new pay scale recommended in a Classification and Compensation Study done by McGrath Human Resources Group of Wonder Lake. Deb Schober, the city’s human resources director, pointed out that more than two-thirds of the raises went to positions that pay less than $15 an hour. Many of them are parttime employees. But the largest percentage raise went to the hourly position of office assistant in Building & Zoning: 49 percent, which increased the wage by $5.72, to $17.39 an hour.

For non-union employees

Not every position got a raise – only those whose pay was below the minimum for the job classification. The increase-to-minimum action affected 76 of the 146 “non-represented” employees. Pay for unionized workers is determined by negotiated contracts – with the Fraternal Order of Police for police department personnel below the rank of sergeant, and Local 150 of the International Union of Operating Engineers for most workers in Public Works. Those are the two biggest departments in city government. Eight city employees also were “redcircled” because their pay exceeds the maximum for their job classifications. That means they will receive no increase in their base pay as long as they are over the maximum, but they qualify for annual merit pay that will not add to their base. Those employees, Schober said, have “a very long tenure.” Their seniority meant many years of annual pay adjustments were added to their base pay without regard to minimums or maximum in their job classifications. The City Council a year ago hired McGrath for $34,620 to do the study as well as write new job descriptions and assess the city’s process of evaluating job performance. Those two latter tasks lie ahead, Schober said. McGrath was one of four firms that submitted proposals from among seven the city invited to do so. The four proposals ranged in cost from $25,650 to nearly $152,000. The city had budgeted $50,000 for the work. The new compensation levels were based, in part, on pay for comparable jobs in other cities in northeastern

ments city pay adjust Spreadsheet of Illinois. McGrath reported it looked at 14 municipalities across McHenry and three other counties; recreation departments in three communities; libraries in four; and Opera Houselike operations in six. That helped in creating minimum, midpoint, and maximum pay levels in various job classifications.

Update of old study

In a memo to the council for its meeting Nov. 6, 2018, Schober wrote that it had been 15 years since the city’s pay plan and job descriptions had been independently reviewed by an outside consultant. “Over that time, positions have been internally re- classified, created and adjusted based on staff’s assessment of comparative job value and market information,” she wrote. “The ad hoc nature of this approach, including the fact that only full-time positions were included in the last compensation study, calls into question whether positions are correctly classified. ...” In its proposal for the work, McGrath said it specialized in public sector consulting, mostly in human resource management, fire, EMS, police, and communications. As client references, it listed 16

municipalities from eight states, from Tennessee to Washington.

About ‘being competitive’

In a tight labor market, with unemployment rates at record lows, the city has to be competitive with pay to attract, retain, and motivate employees, Stelford said.. “We want to be competitive, but also be fair to the taxpayer,” the city manager said. “We’ve got to make some progress competitively.” The raises the council approved in September, which were effective just last week, will cost the city about $167,800 a year. Because the city’s 2018-19 fiscal year will end April 30, the current budget will absorb half of that, about $83,909. About $150,000 had been budgeted for that new expense, according to city documents. But the city will incur additional expense starting next when summer seasonal workers – most of them students – start working under the state’s new minimum wage, Schober reported. Effective Jan. 1, the minimum wage in Illinois will increase by $1 an hour, to $9.25; an additional 75 cents next July 1, to $10; then $1 an hour more each Jan. 1 for five years, putting the wage at $15 starting in 2025.

“The estimated annual cost for this adjustment is estimated to be $160,452,” Schober wrote in a memo to the council. A little more than $29,000 of that will pay the increases of seasonal workers, such as school crossing guards and aquatic center lifeguards, Schober said, and cost for summer help in various city departments will increase by about $131,000. The new pay scale was approved by unanimous voice vote as part of the consent agenda for the council’s Sept. 17 meeting. That was the meeting when two controversial measures – a noise ordinance and single-use bag fee – received separate 7-0 rollcall votes of approval. Deputy Mayor Mike Turner was the only council member to speak to the pay adjustments, noting that the city held back on pay for employees and did not replace vacated positions during and after the recession a decade ago. But the economy has since improved, Turner said, and pay adjustments should be made now to attract and maintain the best employees to serve the public. The council also approved a consultant’s recommendation to add three days of vacation each year to the city’s 10 department director positions.

were so many individuals at OFAC that had no police interaction at all,” the chief said, saying problems were caused by a “very small percentage” of OFAC clients whom police came to know well.

Continued from Page 1

“We just leased the property,” he said. “The housing authority was responsible for the programs, the personnel, and all the good deeds done.” Ulbrich noted OFAC’s good deeds had involved serving 782 different clients who were homeless and helping to place more than 100 people into permanent residences.

Bigger shelter

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO

After neighbors’ complaints, a fence was built along Throop and South streets to provide some visual separation between the center for homeless clients and nearby homes. housing authority, managed OFAC. Rose will continue to coordinate services, mostly from the housing authority office in Woodstock, 1108 N. Seminary Ave.

Police involved

Although the city’s involvement in OFAC was limited, city police did answer numerous calls in and around the center, many from neighbors who complained about trespassing and harassment by homeless people. Downtown business owners also reported problems. A neighborhood watch program,

– Woodstock Safe Neighborhoods – was launched in the summer to 2018 because of neighbors’ concerns. Last year police banned more than a dozen persistent troublemakers from OFAC. According to Police Chief John Lieb, that was part of an effort that improved conditions around OFAC and the Square. “Through the concerted efforts of the staff at OFAC, Sue Rose, and my police officers, I think we finally were able to come to some agreement ... that works for everyone,” the chief said. “I want to emphasize there are and

NEWS

Ulbrich said the housing authority was “wapping up” its operations at OFAC in preparation for its new approach to serving the homeless that will extend beyond Woodstock. Megan Bennett, who was site manager at OFAC, will work outreach in shelters and other agencies that serve the homeless population throughout McHenry County, according to Ulbrich. OFAC has served primarily Woodstock because of the site, but Ulbrich said the authority’s renewed community service grant will be used to expand service countywide. Bennett can be reached at the authority’s office in Woodstock, 815338-7752, or on her agency cellphone during business hours, 815-529-8342. Along with Bennett, Sue Rose, community services director for the

Nov. 20-26, 2019

Expanding countwide

Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager leads a task force that has worked for three years toward the opening – in early 2020 – of a new 24/7 countywide homeless shelter in McHenry. The shelter will be operated by Pioneer Center in space provided by The Chapel faith group. The 24/7 shelter, has potential for up to 70 beds. In the meantime, area churches will continue to provide overnight care on a rotating basis, with transportation between sites provided, as was done in winter months of past years. Pioneer has sold its smaller PADS – Public Action to Deliver Shelter – facility on Kishwaukee Valley Road in Woodstock. But the project is reportedly still looking for funds to complete renovation at the McHenry site and sustain operations once the shelter opens. Stelford said the fate of the former fire station was uncertain. The city’s Economic Development staff has looked at it, the city manager said, but the two-story building lacks an elevator. so it is not ADA-compliant.

3 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

OFAC

NEWS

Nov. 20-26, 2019

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

OBITUARIES

Barbara J. Kries, 87

Barbara J. Kries, age 87, of Woodstock, passed away in her sleep peacefully on Nov. 8, 2019. She was born on Oct. 5, 1932, in Chicago to George and Elizabeth (Soukup) Conlin. Barbara was very active in her church community at St. Patrick of Hartland for 31 years. Prior to that she was involved in the church and school communi- Barbara J. ties that she lived Kries in. She had a love for books and was in book clubs. Barbara volunteered her time to teach children and adults reading and English as a second language. She loved to travel with her lifelong companion and husband. She enjoyed spending time with her family, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She is survived by her husband of

64 years, Paul Kries, and their seven children: Jackie (Mike) Triska, Stephen Kries, Corinne (Kenneth) Dillon, Cathy (Andrew) Wind, Charlene Cross, Patti (Jim) Ward, and Andy (Tracy) Kries; her loving sister, Georgia Nelson; 14 grandchildren: Frank Kries, Leah Dillon and Ryan (Chrysa) Dillon, Michelle (Doug) Schulz, Rebecca Triska, Laura (Ryan) Pett, Courtney (Ben) Mimms, Chris (Tegan) Ward and Patrick Ward, Jessica Cross and Sara Cross, Drew, Adam and Ryan Kries; and three great-grandchildren, Emma and Jacob Schulz and Wade Ward. She was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Rachel Kries and Jason Triska. A memorial gathering will be held on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, from 10 a.m. until the funeral Mass at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church Hartland, 15012 St. Patrick Road, Woodstock, IL 60098. Burial will be in the church cemetery. in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice. For more information, call Schneider,

Leucht, Merwin & Cooney funeral home at 815-338-1710, or visit the website at slmcfh.com.

Dr. William R. Larsen, 84

Dr. William Larsen was born in Oak Park, Ill., on Oct. 4, 1935, to Roy and Gertrude (Voss) Larsen. He spent his childhood and years in active medical practice in Woodstock, Ill. Following graduation from Woodstock Community High School, he attended the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy in Chicago, Dr. William R. graduating in Larsen 1957, and following that was accepted into the College of Medicine at the Chicago campus. His internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology was at St. Francis Hospital in Peoria, Ill. For 20 years he practiced his specialty

in Woodstock, and at the age of 50 switched careers and became medical director for Cigna and Humana corporations at various locations around the country. During his retirement years, William and his wife, Judy, enjoyed life between their homes in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Crystal Lake, Ill. He is survived by his wife, Judy, of 60 years of marriage; their four children, Mary (Jeff) Mitchell, David (Eileen) Larsen, Melissa (Peter) Sulista, and John Larsen and his partner Melissa Gluth; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. His fourth greatgrandchild will be welcomed in the coming weeks. A funeral service will be held Saturday, Nov. 23, 2019, at Grace Lutheran Church in Woodstock, Ill. Visitation will be held at 10 a.m., followed by a brief service at 11 a.m. A memorial celebration of his life will be held at La Casa de Cristo Lutheran Church, Scottsdale, Ariz., at a time still to be determined. Memorial donations can be made to either church.

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

Woodstock Police Department

■ Benjamin V. Ramirez Jr., 30, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 8 in the 600 block of Lake Avenue on charges of driving while license suspended and improper/defective muffler. Released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bond. Court date Nov. 21. ■ Yonatan Escobar-Albarran, 19, Crystal Lake, was arrested Nov. 9 on charges of driving while license suspended and improper lane usage. Released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bond. Court date Nov. 21. ■ Jose Munoz Jr., 31, Chicago, was arrested Nov. 9 in the 100 block of South Eastwood Drive on a charge of retail theft. Taken to jail. Bond and court date to be set. ■ Alvaro Lopez, 20, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 11 in the 11900 block of Country Club Road on charges of no valid driver’s license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, and driving too fast for conditions. Released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bond. Court date Dec. 19. ■ Mark S. Owen, 44, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 12 in the 800 block of Prairie View Lane on a McHenry County warrant charging failure to appear. Taken to jail. Bond and court date to be set. ■ Maureen E. Lewis, 43, Harvard, was arrested Nov. 12 at Clay Street and Greenwood Avenue on charges of driving while license suspended and expired registration. Released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bond. Court date Dec. 19.

■ Ismael Alcantra Rodriguez, 40, Oaktown, Ind., was arrested Nov. 12 in the 1600 block of Route 47 on charges of driving under the influence, driving under the influence with blood-alcohol content over 0.08 percent, no valid driver’s license, and improper lane usage. Held on $3,000 bond. Court date Dec. 5. ■ Jason A. Lobue, 38, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 14 in the 2100 block of Willow Brooke Drive on a charge of violating an order of protection. Taken to jail. Bond and court date to be set. ■ Alejandro Quintero, 18, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 14 in the 2400 block of Bridgewater Drive on a charge of criminal trespass to property. Taken to jail. Bond and court date to be set.

McHenry County Sheriff’s Office ■ Ann Marie E. Lett, 33, Bull Valley, was arrested Nov. 6 on a charge of domestic battery/physical contact. ■ Daniel G. Paris, 52, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 8 on two charges of domestic battery/bodily harm/prior and two charges of domestic battery/prior. ■ Parrish J. McEwen, 33, Wonder Lake, was arrested Nov. 10 on charges of domestic battery/bodily harm and domestic battery/physical contact. Charges are only accusations of crimes, and defendants are presumed innocent until proved guilty.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

Fire Runs indicates units dispatched and what was found at the scene. Ambulance calls of Woodstock Fire/Rescue District are reported here in number only. Ambulance calls Nov. 7-13: 65 Fire Runs Nov. 7 12:51 a.m. – 1400 block of Commons Drive, unintentional alarm system activation, no fire; ambulance, truck, engine, shift commander 4:44 a.m. – 2000 block of Willow Brooke Drive, smoke scare/odor of smoke; engine, truck, two ambulances, shift commander 12:34 p.m. – 1100 block of North Rose Farm Road, system malfunction; truck 3:44 p.m. – 600 block of Gerry Street, excessive heat/scorch burns with no ignition; chief, shift commander, engine 4:32 p.m. – 15300 Kishwaukee Valley Road, traffic accident with no injuries; shift commander, ambulance, engine 6:48 p.m. – 700 block of Duvall Drive, carbon monoxide incident; engine 10:01 p.m. – 15300 block of St. Patrick Road, outside rubbish fire; engine, shift commander Nov. 8 12:07 a.m. –2200 block of South Eastwood Drive, system malfunction; engine 11:10 a.m. – 100 block of South Benton Street, unintentional smoke detector activation, no fire; truck 11:51 a.m. – 1200 block of Wicker

Street, carbon monoxide incident; engine 1:54 p.m. – 2000 block of Willow Brooke Drive, malfunctioning smoke detector activation; engine 4:10 p.m. – 500 block of McHenry Avenue, smoke or odor removal; truck 5:55 p.m. – 500 block of Highland Avenue, smoke scare/odor of smoke; engine, shift commander 8:22 p.m. – 100 block of North Benton Street, unintentional alarm system activation, no fire; shift commander, truck Nov. 10 8:28 p.m. – 500 block of Leah Lane, dumpster or other outside trash receptacle fire; truck, shift commander Nov. 11 12:16 p.m. – 9800 block of Wondermere Road, arcing/shorted electrical equipment; engine 9:33 p.m. – 2200 block of South Eastwood Drive, unintentional alarm system activation, no fire; engine Nov. 12 6:35 a.m. – 2700 block of Country Club Road, system malfunction; shift commander, truck, ambulance 8:22 p.m. – Eastwood Drive and Catalpa Lane, traffic accident with no injuries; engine, shift commander, ambulance Nov. 13 6 p.m. – 1000 block of Greenwood Circle, gas leak (natural or LP); shift commander 6:47 p.m. – 900 block of McConnell Road, traffic accident with no injuries; engine, shift commander, ambulance

By Larry Lough

LARRY@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Visitors will pay, too

Only the beginning

But city officials have said that’s just the start of a five-year plan for street improvements. A second bond issue is “likely” to finance future street work, City Manager Roscoe Stelford has said. Mayor Brian Sager talked about the new street program during his State of the City address in October. The budget for street improvements was doubled to $2 million a year after an additional 1 percent city sales tax was adopted in the fall of 2017, but the mayor said that wasn’t enough “to get you where you need to be.” He called the street improvements a matter of quality of life and economic development. The release directed questions to Jeff Van Landuyt Public Works director, at jvanlanduyt@woodstockil.gov.

City Council will consider downtown housing plans By Larry Lough

LARRY@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Late Sunday afternoon, two petitions regarding the proposed $25 million Founder’s Crossing housing development had 30 signatures at Read Between the Lynes. Of those 30, none was on the petition in favor of the plan to develop the area north of the Metra station. At the same time at change.org, an online petition opposing the project had attracted a few hundred people. The Chicago developers’ latest plan to build 77 single-family homes and two apartment buildings was scheduled to come before the Woodstock City Council Tuesday night, when the only opinions that counted would be those of the seven council members. That was one of two housing projects on the council’s agenda. The other is a plan for a $5 million, five-story apartment building with 30 one- and two-bedroom units at Church and Madison streets, where Frisbie-Lohmeyer Insurance had done business. While the city Plan Commission voted 8-0 to recommend approval – with some reservations – of that latter plan, the preliminary plat for Founder’s Crossing has been rejected by the commission three times. Those are only recommendations, however, and the City Council has the

final say on such developments.

Split council vote

With some sympathy among council members for progress on developing the former Die Cast factory site 10 years after the last builder went bankrupt with Woodstock Station, the vote by City Council was expected to be divided. The plan by Nuvo Realty Group to develop Founder’s Crossing has undergone several changes since being presented to the council a year ago. City documents show that what had been 92 small-lot row houses and ranch homes is now 77 single-family homes with two apartment buildings – three- and four-story construction – with 4,000 square feet available on the ground floor of the smaller building for possible commercial use. Plan Commission members had several objections to the original plan, including the lack of retail space, which they said was not consistent with the Downtown Development Plan that the council adopted in January. That plan calls for mixed-use development – residential and retail – in an area of transit-oriented housing next to the Metra tracks. The recent addition of possible retail space is an apparent attempt to address that concern, though the

DIAGRAM PROVIDED

According to its most recent revisions, Founder’s Crossing would have more parking, more green space, and fewer housing units than previously proposed. Check thewoodstockindependent.com for a report on Tuesday night’s meeting. apartment buildings would be the final phase of the development projected for completion in 2023. Developers also have tweaked the design to add more parking and green space.

Incentives offered

Both Founder’s Crossing and the five-story apartment building would benefit from the city’s tax increment financing district: $4 million and $900,000, respectively. The apartments proposal ran into

some opposition from neighborhood businesses that objected to the city’s donation of a public parking lot off Church Street to the developers. Neighbors of Founder’s Crossing have objected that the proposed “neotraditional” design of the homes is inconsistent with the historic nature of the Square and nearby homes. Of the seven items on the council’s agenda, Founder’s Crossing was to be considered last by the council, which was scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall.

NEWS

City officials emphasized that a fuel tax, like a sales tax, would not be paid by only Woodstock residents, but by out-of-towners when they visit. “Motor fuel tax as a revenue source directly relates to those using the streets,” the news release said, “both residents and businesses, as well as those visiting the community.” Because Woodstock is a home rule

community, the council may establish the tax with no voter referendum. A public hearing also will be required before the City Council votes on the tax, which is on the agenda for the council meeting Tuesday, Dec. 3, according to the release. “In an effort to share as much information with the public as possible, city staff is further scheduling a Save Our Streets public outreach session,” the release said, “and will be present to answer questions and concerns from the public.” Details are to be available at that meeting on the engineering study, bid specifications, and contract awards, with a goal to begin the street work at the start of the construction season this coming spring. Financial incentives are planned to ensure the work is completed in 2020.

Nov. 20-26, 2019

Woodstock officials are calling it Save Our Streets, and they plan to explain it to the public at a meeting this week. In a news release, the city announced the meeting for 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21, in City Hall to explain the plan that would involve a $10 million bond issue and a new 3-cents-a-gallon city fuel tax to help pay for it. The “aggressive” street plan as announced would improve street conditions of nearly a quarter of Woodstock’s 119 lane miles in 2020. That sutdy is underway. The City Council this month approved a $950,000 engineering study of all city streets that will help to determine project priorities.

According to the news release, part of the bonding process requires that “debt service sources” be identified. City officials have said they plan to use about $340,000 a year in new funds from the recently increased state gasoline tax – which went up 19 cents a gallon on July 1 – and about $300,000 from a new municipal gas tax they propose.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Meeting to address street plan, gas tax

OPINION

Nov. 20-26, 2019

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Opinion

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Cheryl Wormley Publisher, Co-Owner

Paul Wormley Co-Owner

Woodstock, IL • 1987

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Cheryl Wormley Larry Lough Sandy Kucharski Ken Farver

Schools measure up in many ways

People in Woodstock like their public schools. Evidence of that showed up last month in a series of focus groups conducted by the city’s Economic Development staff. The four sessions involving 56 local volunteers were trying to help city officials identify what was missing in Woodstock – what kinds of businesses would help to make the city “complete.” The first question asked of the participants was, “Why do you like Woodstock?” Many reasons were cited, but the quality of schools was a recurring mention. “The schools in Woodstock are very good,” said one participant in the first focus group. “I think our schools are every bit as competitive as any system in the county.” Added another person in that group, “We also could not be happier with the education our children received in Woodstock.” The next day it was most of the same. “Is it my imagination?” one person asked. “Does our community attach a higher priority on education than most other communities?” In the fourth session on the third day of focus groups, one person listed Woodstock’s assets, among them “Great schools.” Skeptics might write off such comments as subjective anecdotal evidence that proves nothing. But those comments received some objective support recently with the release of the 2019 Illinois School Report Card, which assesses schools largely on testing of students. Maybe you saw the results for Woodstock School District 200 in last week’s edition of The Independent. Some of the highlights: n Three schools – Dean, Mary Endres, and Prairiewood elementary schools – earned the highest

I hope you realize all of District 200 received a good report card.

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY LUKE GOINS

rating, “exemplary,” putting them in the top 10 percent statewide in progress and competency in reading/writing, math, and science; seven other schools were ranked as “commendable,” the second highest. Only one school was designated “underperforming” because of low scores from a relatively small group of students. n D-200’s emphasis on reading was evident in the language arts scores (which includes writing), where local students improved by 9 percentage points over the previous year. That compares to a 1 point improvement in schools statewide. n Scores also reflected D-200’s highly acclaimed

dual-language program, as local ethnic subgroups outperformed other Illinois schools. Skeptics might argue that D-200 schools ought to be good, with a $100 million annual budget that includes, according to the district’s recently published annual statement, 85 staff members whose salaries exceed $90,000. But in education, as in everything, spending does not ensure quality. Recent revelations suggest to us, however, that whether you measure it subjectively or objectively, Woodstock taxpayers are getting a good deal for their tax dollars.

Let’s make health care accessible for all “Honey, mommy can’t do it.” Those were the words Sandy Webber, a mother in Sandwich, had to tell her daughter when they went to pick up her prescription for depression. Their doctor had seen great progress in patients such as Webber’s daughter. They were optimistic it was the medicine that would finally help. But when the pharmacist told them it would cost $400 a month out of pocket, Webber had to tell her daughter she couldn’t afford it. It didn’t matter that she had a good job with good benefits. The medication her daughter needed was still too expensive.

This wasn’t the first time a necessary prescription was financially out of reach for the family. It’s time for Congress to authorize price transparency Lauren for prescription Underwood drugs Her late husband, Guest Column Joe, fought both diabetes and cancer, which meant at times he was on up to 12 drugs at one time. As the cancer progressed and he

started to struggle, he was prescribed a new medicine to help. But when Webber went to pick it up, she remembers the pharmacist saying, “That will be $1,500.” She had to stop the order. Instead of getting the medication the doctor said Joe needed, they had to find an alternative that didn’t work as well. Families across Illinois make these hard choices every day. I hear about them everywhere in the community I represent. No matter where I am or who I’m with, I hear about folks in our community being crushed by the unaffordable cost of prescription drugs.

It’s unacceptable and unsustainable. I say this from a different perspective than most of my colleagues. I’m not a career politician or a lawyer – I’m a nurse. I know exactly what happens when a man like Joe who has cancer and diabetes can’t take his medication as prescribed; when a 12-year-old boy with asthma doesn’t use his inhaler regularly because his family needs it to stretch a little longer; when a mom skimps on her insulin because she needs to pay the heating bill or her student loans. People get sicker, they wind up in the hospital, and they can die.

Continued on next page

The good news is that Congress can take immediate action to lower drug costs, and there’s bipartisan agreement on many of the ideas for how to do it. To solve this problem, I’m proposing a five-point plan to reduce prescription drug costs for Illinois families. n First, we must reduce out-ofpocket costs for prescription drugs. For seniors on Medicare, out-ofpocket costs are unlimited; my plan would cap their drug costs at $2,000 a year. For people with private insurance, my plan would eliminate out-ofpocket costs altogether for common medications like insulin and inhalers. n Second, the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services should be able to negotiate lower drug prices on behalf of all Americans to stop drug companies from price gouging patients. This will reduce prices for the most expensive

1980. Of course, the farmers’ share is greater for food consumed at home compared with food consumed away from home – 24 cents vs. only 4 cents. n The food we waste is a huge concern. The people of the United States throw away an estimated 23 percent of the food we bring home. And get this: 40 percent of all food grown and produced in the U.S. is never eaten. The 40 percent includes food lost at the farm, spoiled at the grocery store, left on plates at restaurants, and thrown out in the trash at home. Mental note: buy less, cook less, take only as much food as you can eat. n Today, 98 percent of the 2 million U.S. farms and ranches are owned by individuals, family partnerships, or family corporations. Nonfamily corporations, etc., own just 2 percent. n Farm operators are increasingly more diverse. The number of Hispanic farm operators is up 13 percent, and there are more African Americans operating farms, too – up 2 percent. Women make up 35 percent of farm operators; and 56 percent of all farms have at least one female decision maker. “Food and Farm Facts” is an adultand-kid-friendly read, with lots of pictures and terrific graphics. I bought one to give to each of our young families, and I have one on the kids’ bookshelf at our house. It would be a good classroom resource, too. Order at dmsfulfillment.com/FarmBureau. Cheryl Wormley is publisher of The Woodstock Independent.

Subscription rates/year $40 in Woodstock, Bull Valley and Wonder Lake. $42 in McHenry County. $47 for snowbirds and $55 outside McHenry County.

Corrections

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prescriptions and insulin. n Next, we must eliminate outrageous price hikes. Drug companies should be required to publicly report and justify price increases, and companies that unjustifiably raise prices should have to give that money back to the purchaser, which will prevent companies from raising prices in the first place. n Fourth, generic alternatives need to stay affordable. Big drug companies are gaming the system to prevent more affordable versions of their prescriptions from becoming available to patients. We need to hold these companies accountable by closing the loopholes drug companies abuse to keep lower-cost drugs out of reach of middle-class families. n Finally, we need to invest in research for tomorrow’s cures. Illinois is home to some of the best and brightest scientists who lead the world

in innovative prevention, treatments and cures. As a nation we must continue to invest in biomedical research to create breakthrough treatments and lifesaving cures while supporting high-quality jobs in Illinois. We must end the status quo. There are too many people like Sandy Webber making excruciatingly hard choices to afford the medicine they need. It doesn’t have to be this way. Not one other person should have to tell their daughter they can’t afford their depression medication or tell their husband they can’t afford the drug they need to battle cancer. We can do better, and with my plan, we will be one step closer. U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood of Naperville represents Illinois’ 14th Congressional District, which includes Woodstock. This commentary was published earlier in the Chicago Tribune.

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OPINION

Continued from previous page

using the roads to move their equipment from one field to another and to haul corn and soybeans from fields to bins or elevators. When you see a farmer Cheryl on the road, slow Wormley down. Farm equipDeclarations ment moves slowly. Some top out at 15 or 20 mph. Farm equipment is also wide. Anticipate yielding more of the road than usual. And, wave a friendly hello and thank you. While we’re thinking about farmers and their crops, I’m going to share some information I gleaned from “Food and Farm Facts,” a publication my husband, Jim, brought to my attention and I ordered from the American Farm Bureau Federation. What follows is only a sample of the information included. It will give you fodder for upcoming conversations during Thanksgiving and holiday gatherings. n Americans spend less of their disposable incomes on food than anyone else in the world. For the past two decades, U.S. consumers have spent an average of just 10 percent. By comparison Brazilians spent 16 percent, Chinese 22 percent, Mexicans 23 percent, and Kenyans 53 percent. n On average farmers and ranchers receive only 15 cents of every retail dollar Americans spend on food, no matter where it is eaten. That’s less than half of what they received in

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Nov. 20-26, 2019

It seems appropriate to start this week’s column by noting that we’ve made it through a very cold two weeks here in northern Illinois. The Wormley thermometer showed a very chilly 4 degrees one morning. The 4-or-so inches of snow that accumulated during the same period remain, because daytime highs have stayed below snow’s melting point. Milder temperatures – highs in the mid to upper 30s – are forecast, but even those will be about 10 degrees colder than the high40s average for this time of year. The snow and cold aren’t much of an inconvenience for most of us. The thermostats in our houses are set at comfortable temperatures, so we eat, live, and sleep with little concern about the cold. Most roads and streets are plowed and/or treated with some kind of ice melt. There’s plenty of food at grocery stores and in restaurants, and the mail is delivered even in the snow and cold. I am grateful to the people who provide goods and services regardless of the weather. I am also thankful for people and programs that shelter and feed the homeless. The farm girl in me aches for the farmers with corn and beans still waiting to be harvested. Frozen ground is good, because it supports the heavy harvesters, tractors and wagons, and trucks. The snow isn’t good, because it hampers the harvesting. Most years, farmers are through harvesting by Thanksgiving. This year, they may still be bringing in crops during the Christmas and New Year holidays. So a reminder is in order: farmers will be

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WHS mathletics squad third in first invitational

Student musicians perform, attend clinic during trip to Florida By Jan Dovidio

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Eighty-five orchestra students at Woodstock High School had new experiences when they traveled to Florida to play – in more ways than one – from Oct. 9 to 13. The orchestra, which travels every other year, voted for Florida for this year. In addition to touring NASA, Coco Beach, the Disney parks, and Disney Springs, they had two special orchestra experiences. They performed at Give the Kids the World Village in the Orlando area, a whimsical storybook village hotel and resort for critically ill children and their families to stay for a weeklong cost-free vacation. Orchestra members also

participated in a 2.5-hour clinic at Disney, where they worked with a Disney performing musician. “The kids got to watch a scene from ‘Beauty and the Beast’ while listening to themselves play the background music,” said Lyndra Bastian, orchestra director at WHS. “The time flew by, and the kids learned a lot while having a great experience. They also received special Mickey Performing Arts hats at the conclusion of the event. “Our clinician said we were in the top 3 to 4 percent of groups he has worked with, and he has done over

1,500 clinics for Disney Performing Arts Youth Programs.” Parents of many students were chaperones and drove down to Florida to meet the group. Since the students flew, they did not have room to pack many snacks. When parent Jeannie Anderson arrived in Florida, she provided lots of snacks for the kids. “Teenagers are always hungry, especially when we got back to the hotel each night,” Bastian said. “Our students behaved and performed beautifully. They represented WHS and the Woodstock community brilliantly.”

Cello student chosen for state orchestra By Jan Dovidio

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Many orchestra students from Woodstock School District 200’s middle and high schools auditioned in September and October for the Illinois Music Education Association orchestra. Several of them earned

positions for the ILMEA performance on Nov. 9 at Grayslake North High School. Woodstock North High School sent five students for the auditions: Annie Ballin, Robyn Brown, Abby Campisi, Autumn Fitch, and Meghan McCann. Ballin, a junior who plays Continued on Next page

Four local students on UW-Madison dean’s list Four Woodstock-area residents were named to the dean’s list or honor list at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for the spring semester of the 2018-2019 academic year. They are: n Bull Valley – Laura Nicks, College of Letters and Science n Woodstock – Jada Berkland, College of Engineering, dean’s honor list; Colleen Brown, School of Business, dean’s list; Molly Dougherty, School of Education, dean’s list.

SCHOOLS

Disney gives orchestra kids place to play

Nov. 20-26, 2019

COURTESY PHOTO

Orchestra students from Woodstock High School perform during their October trip to Disney World.

Woodstock High School’s Mathletics Department promises to put up big numbers this season. The Streaks earned third place last week in an invitational at Stillman Valley High School, narrowly edging Byron by a mere two points for the final podium position. WHS math team coach Jai Sharma reported spirits were high going into the competition even though some members were scratched from the lineup for a variety of reasons, such as vacations and work obligations. Successes included: Round 1 – Susie Crenshaw’s tie for third in precalculus; junior Nole Bristen, third in algebra 2; and Evan Crenshaw, fourth in geometry. Round 2 – Kaylee Ehrke, Kayla Martinez, Xothitl Godinez, Tom Sieck, and Vince Perez, third as freshman/sophomore team; and calculator team of Susie Crenshaw, Donovan Burns, Evan Crenshaw, and Darsha Patel, third. Round 3 – team third. Sharma reported the math season “really heats up” in January with the Northern Illinois Association of Teachers of Mathematics invitational at Rockford University Jan. 16. Sharma and Annamarie Spencer, math teachers, coach the team.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

IN BRIEF

Nov. 20-26, 2019

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

COURTESY PHOTO

Dariana Urbina (center), winner of a Hispanic Connections scholarship, accepts the check from Juanita Vega (right), president of Hispanic Connection, and Olga Ortiz, a board member of Hispanic Connections. The check was presented at Noche de Baile, a dance-night fundraiser hosted by the dual-language program at Creekside Middle School.

SCHOOLS

Stipend to fund trip to Ecuador By Janet Dovidio THE INDEPENDENT

A new scholarship began with the efforts of a local teacher who was seeking travel opportunities for her students. Bayza Senbetta, dual-language science teacher at Creekside Middle School, sent emails to various community groups to ask for funding for a student trip to Ecuador. One of those groups was Hispanic Connections Networking Group of the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Juanita Vega, president of Hispanic Connections, replied immediately that the group would be happy to consider Senbetta’s request. “This project matches the Hispanic Connections objectives of giving back to the Latino community,” Vega said. Hispanic Connections board members voted to provide a $2,500 scholarship to a Latino student in middle school to take the Ecuador trip during spring break. Thirteen applicants each completed an application, wrote an essay about

the benefits of this trip, obtained recommendations from two teachers, and was interviewed by three Hispanic Connections members. “We were looking for a student with values we look for in our future leaders, like compassion, caring for others, and being able to lead with a positive attitude,” Vega said. “We found all these and much more in Dariana Urbina.” Urbina, an eighth-grader at Northwood Middle School, wants to be a teacher. She was announced as the winner during Noche de Baile, a dance night event at Creekside hosted by the dual-language program. “I am so proud of all the middle school students who applied for this scholarship,” Senbetta said. “It is wonderful that Hispanic Connections is able to fund a Latino student to go on the trip to Ecuador. The hope is to make this an annual tradition.” Vega said Urbina was a good choice. “Dariana is not only a great student but also has a humble heart, an amazing understanding of the importance of respect and a resilient spirit,” Vega said.

COURTESY PHOTO

Woodstock High School students (from left) Ian Matthies, Ella Bozic, and Fiona Frawley auditioned for the Illinois Music Education Association orchestra. Continued from Previous page

cello, was selected for the ILMEA orchestra. “The amount of dedication for all five of these students was tremendous,” said Stacie Savittieri, orchestra director at WNHS and Northwood Middle School. “I am very proud Annie of all of them for Ballin going above and beyond and challenging themselves. We are proud to have Annie Ballin represent WNHS this year.” Creekside Middle School had 12 students attend the auditions, while Woodstock High School sent three students. Two WHS students were chosen to advance. Junior Ian Matthies, who plays bass, has participated in the orchestra program for eight years. Senior Fiona Frawley, bass player for

nine years, will be among the D-200 orchestra program’s first graduates in May. The Creekside students who were selected to advance were violin players Christian Balgeman and Larissa Vital, viola player Annabelle Groves, and bass player Jake Roeder. All are eighth-graders. “The continuous dedication and hard work my students continue to give to their instruments and their music impresses me,” said Lyndra Bastian, orchestra director for WHS and Creekside. “They represent our program beautifully, and I am so honored to get to work with such driven young adults. I have the best job!” D-200 now has 355 elementary school students in the orchestra program, with nearly 200 musicians at the middle-school level and more than 160 players in the high schools. ILMEA, the largest fine arts education association in Illinois, advocates for universal access to comprehensive music education. WHS student Ella Bozic also auditioned.

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Woodstock to flip holiday switch Lighting of the Square full evening of activities Staff Report

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Even if weather outside already feels like Christmas, the warmth of the season will glow brighter than ever at this year’s Lighting of the Square activities. The annual kickoff to Christmas holiday activities in Woodstock is scheduled for the day after Thanksgiving – from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 29, throughout the downtown area. The Christmas Tree Walk at the Woodstock Opera House and Gingerbread House Walk at the Old Courthouse will begin festivities with free viewings at 4 p.m. The arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus is expected at the Opera House at 5:15 p.m. to highlight a fundraiser for Friends of the Opera House, held from 5:30 p.m. until the lighting ceremony at 7. Tickets for this event are available on the Opera House website, woodstockoperahouse.com. From 5:30 to 6:30 p.m., Community Choir carolers will perform around the Square, ending in front of the Old Courthouse, where Northwest Area Arts Council and the Clay Guild will

offer unique gift items.

Lighting, then music

At 7 p.m., the main event will take place as the crowd helps Mayor Brian Sager – along with Miss and Little Miss Woodstock – count down and pull the switch to illuminate the downtown for the rest of the holiday season. That will be followed by live music from local musicians, Jingle Bell Jamboree, as children line up at Santa’s Hut for their own personal visit to Santa’s lap, open until the event winds down at 9 p.m. The east side of the Square will feature the nonprofit Elf Escape family activity tent with fun times (and welcome warmth) for kids of all ages – young and old. Woodstock Public Library will offer story time at 5, 6 and 8 p.m., along with craft tables, while the Woodstock

Santa will attend the lighting.

Recreation Department entertains. Additional activities will be provided by students from Woodstock High School’s marketing class and INCubator Class, and Boy Scout Troops 329 and 1329. Families are encouraged to sign the “Merry Christmas Card” banner the community will send to troops from Woodstock’s Army National Guard Delta Co. battalion stationed in Afghanistan and make donations in drop boxes located in the tent and around the downtown for soldiers serving overseas.

Square closed to traffic

No one goes hungry at Lighting of the Square. Free doughnuts will be offered by Woodstock Heating & Cooling in the Spring House inside the east entrance to the park; food trucks from Your Sister’s Tomato, Beef Village, and Pixie Dawgs will be parked on West Jackson Street by the Old Courthouse; and downtown restaurants, shops and bars will offer a variety of seasonal specials. Photo opportunities will be plentiful with Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Gingerbread Man, Woodstock Willie, and costumed carolers and performers, and First United Methodist Church will sell wreaths and trees.

See Holidays Page 13

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTOS

Woodstock’s downtown is a popular place during the annual Lighting of the Square, which always comes the day after Thanksgiving. This scene is from the 2018 celebration.

The Jolly Old Elf and Mrs. Elf are getting the sleigh ready and hoping lots of interest groups, businesses, and community members will join them for Woodstock’s annual Santa Parade, which will circle the downtown Square and welcome the holiday season at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 1. The tradition will conclude in the former fire station next to City Hall, where families can line up for free cookies and milk with Santa and the opportunity to share their hopes and dreams for a variety of Christmastime treasures with the red-suited gentleman. Parade participation is free and open to all. Preregistration is encouraged by calling or visiting Woodstock Opera House, or contacting Betsy Cosgray, bcosgray@ woodstockil.gov. The parade lineup will begin at 1:15 p.m. on Forest Avenue at the south side of Dean Street School, with walking groups leading the parade, followed by floats, cars, and trucks, which will enter Forest Avenue from Blakely Street. The parade will proceed at 2 p.m. north on Dean Street and around the Square, ending at City Hall. Streets on the Square – Van Buren, Benton, Cass and Johnson – will be closed to traffic so families can line the streets and join in the yuletide spirit. Many shops and restaurants will be open to offer seasonal specials, and all are welcome to stop by the Opera House to enjoy the Christmas Tree Walk and to visit the Old Courthouse to experience the Gingerbread House Walk, all offered at no charge. The parade is organized by the city of Woodstock and the Opera House with support from The Woodstock Independent.

Nov. 20-26, 2019

gives you the cookies!

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

SANTA PARADE

12 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

“A HOLIDAY CARD COME TO LIFE!”

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Nov. 20-26, 2019

– DAILY NEWS

Parade Date

Sunday, Dec. 1 2:00 PM

Registration Date

Tuesday, Nov. 26th

Woods t oc k’s Annual Chris tmas Parade

It’s time once again to register for the annual Woodstock Christmas Parade!

If you love parades (and who doesn’t!) and are in the holiday spirit, be sure to join in welcoming Santa and Mrs. Claus as they join our Christmas Parade around the Square beginning at 2:00 PM on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. After the Parade, come over to the old fire station behind City Hall and enjoy Cookies and Milk with Santa (and tell him what you want for Christmas!) hosted by the City of Woodstock. If you or your group would like to participate in the Christmas Parade, fill out the online form and contact the Woodstock Opera House at 815-338-4212. Be sure to visit our Calendar of Events to see the many wonderful events as Woodstock celebrates “the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!”

Contact: ay Betsy Cosgr 815.338.4212

oodstockil.g

bcosgray@w

By Staff Report

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

COURTESY PHOTO

Astronomy instructor Paul Hamill gazes up at the domed display of the planetarium at McHenry County College, which has scheduled several public programs in the weeks ahead.

7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22 – “Out There – The Quest for Extra-Solar Worlds” 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 – “Attack of the Space Pirates” 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6 – “Dark Matter Mystery” 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 – “Let it Snow,” an animated singalong. Admission is free. The full show schedule, seat reservations, and more information are available at mchenry.edu/planetarium.

S IVE ACT F N I Y A PLA ADAPTED BY: THOMAS NEUMANN

BEING A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS

presents

November 22–30 & December 1–8

Fridays 8:00 PM, Saturdays 8:00 PM, Sundays 2:00 PM and Saturdays Nov. 30 & Dec. 7 at 2:00 PM Sunday, December 1 at 4:00 PM (after Christmas Parade)

A bear. A button. A place to belong.

A Seating - $29; A Seating (Students/Seniors) - $27 B Seating - $26; B Seating (Students/Seniors) - $24 Includes $3 surcharge

FOR FAMILY AUDIENCES

Photos by Austin D. Oie

WOODSTOCK OPERA HOUSE TICKETS: 815-338-5300 121 VAN BUREN STREET • WOODSTOCK, IL 60098 VISIT WWW.WOODSTOCKOPERAHOUSE.COM

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

our planets, the stars, and the universe around us.” MCC is one of only four community colleges in Illinois with a planetarium. The planetarium’s digital projection system displays an accurate arrangement of the stars and planets on an 8.3meter dome, along with theater-style seating for 45 adults and five wheelchair-accessible seats. Upcoming community shows include

After the lights go up on the Square, Woodstock Moose Lodge, 406 Clay St., will open its doors from 8 to 11 p.m. for a family-friendly soul tango dance free to those under age 21 and $3 cover for others. The crowd for the ceremonies will require closing of streets around the Square by 6 p.m. Cars already parked will be able to leave, but no other vehicles may enter. Lighting of the Square is Woodstock’s biggest annual event involving months of collaboration among all city departments, Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Woodstock Community Choir and Band, Friends of the Opera House, and Friends of the Old Courthouse, as well as many local groups, merchants and vendors. A complete list of the evening’s events is posted at woodstockil. gov, www.realwoodstock.com and woodstockilchamber.com. For more information, email Lighting of the Square project manager Krista Coltrin at kcoltrin@woodstockil.gov.

Nov. 20-26, 2019

The doors of the planetarium are officially open to the public at McHenry County College. According to a news release, community members are invited each month to dive deep into outer space and explore the vast expanse of the universe through documentaries, fictional tales, and interactive children’s shows. The planetarium originally opened in August 2018 as part of MCC’s new Liebman Science Center, a state-of-theart facility catering to students pursuing careers in biology, chemistry, health care, and astronomy. Through the planetarium, students have hands-on learning opportunities that help them to take the next steps in a career in astronomy, meteorology, earth science, and more. “The technology available in our new planetarium has truly transformed our students’ learning experience,” Paul Hamill, astronomy instructor at MCC, said in the release. “We’re excited to invite the community to take advantage of this resource, and welcome everyone to join us for an up-close examination of

Continued from Page 11

13 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Explore space at MCC planetarium

HOLIDAYS

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Nov. 20-26, 2019

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The District 200 Education Foundation wishes to thank the following individuals and retailers for their support in our recent fundraiser.

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Be sure to mark your calendar for next year’s event; Saturday, October 17, 2020 and for the District 200 Education Foundation’s Groundhog Dinner/Auction on Saturday, February 8, 2020 at Woodstock’s Harley-Davidson

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Thrill of the Hunt

The Gilded Acorn brings antiques with distinction to Woodstock

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY SUSAN W. MURRAY

The Gilded Acorn’s Suzanne Delaney brings a flair for decorating and gardening to her Calhoun Street store.

‘If I don’t do this now ...’

Acquiring and refurbishing antiques was Delaney’s hobby on weekends and evenings while she was a registered nurse for 35 years. After retiring and moving out of Chicago, Delaney took a first step into retail with booth space at the Picked Emporium on Cass Street in Woodstock. She was amazed at the number of people who visited the store from out of town, especially on Saturdays during the summer farmers market.

“I always wanted [to have a store],” Delaney said, adding that the thought “I’m not getting any younger” ran through her head. Having become familiar with Woodstock, Delaney told Robert that the town was the perfect location for her store. “I fell in love with the Woodstock Square,” Delaney said, citing its quaintness and Victorian charm. Delaney signed a lease Oct. 1 for the former location of Woodstock Continued on Next page

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Suzanne Delaney credits receiving an unusual wedding gift with igniting her passion for antiques. Decades later, Delaney is channeling that passion into a retail store in Woodstock. The Gilded Acorn, at 121 E. Calhoun St., will debut with an open house this coming weekend, Saturday and Sunday. The store will feature “distinctive antiques and home décor,” Delaney said. Delaney married for the first time when she was just 19 years old. A friend confessed that she couldn’t afford to give the couple a wedding gift, she offered an old credenza that was stored in her family’s barn. “Would you like to have it?” the friend asked Delaney. “Sure,” Delaney said, uncertain as to what she would do with the piece. From years of storage in the barn, the credenza was covered with dust and dirt. As Delaney tackled the piece with elbow grease, the grain of the wood emerged – a rare and beautiful tiger oak. Delaney was hooked. She developed an appreciation for antique furniture, applying TLC to bring out the original beauty. Later, she and her second husband, Robert Delaney, furnished their Edison Park house with antiques and secondhand finds. After spending 30 years in the home raising their family, the couple moved to Crystal Lake.

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office from Aug. 13 to 20. ■ Vacant land, about 1 acre, on South Street, Woodstock, was sold by Philip D. and Kathleen A. Cooper, Woodstock, to city of Woodstock, Woodstock, for $27,000. ■ Residence at 275 Wildmeadow Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Dennis R. and April M. Hanke, Algonquin, to Ingram Liljestrand, Woodstock, for $135,000. ■ Residence at 442-444 W. South St., Woodstock, was sold by James A. Kiefer, Crystal Lake, to Stephanie Nichol, Woodstock, for $215,000. ■ Residence at 2871 Haydn St., Woodstock, was sold by Scott and Christina Peterson, Woodstock, to Jeremy and Christine Rutter, Woodstock, for $305,000. ■ Residence at 10849 Bull Valley Drive, Woodstock, was sold by The County Down Trust 2013-1, North Barrington, to Margaret Kwiatkowski, Woodstock, for $467,500. ■ Residence at 1261 Ginny Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Aurelio and Margarita Ortiz, Woodstock, to Simon Ortiz, Woodstock, for $225,000. ■ Residence at 910 Sharon Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Timothy T. Schey, Deerbrook, Wis., to Jeanice T. Nelson, Woodstock, for $215,000. ■ Vacant land, approximately 0.2 acres, on Halma Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Steven J. and Donna L Erwin, Woodstock, to Scott K. and Clare A. Howatt, Woodstock, for $6,000. ■ Vacant land at 8606 Coral, Wonder Lake, was sold by Robert W. Nutter, Wonder Lake, to James Termanas, Wonder Lake, for $12,000. ■ Residence at 8517 Alden Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by Pingora Loan Servicing LLC, Troy, Mich., to James Termanas, Wonder Lake, for $88,750.

Nov. 20-26, 2019

By Susan W. Murray

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Marketplace

MARKETPLACE

Nov. 20-26, 2019

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

IN BRIEF

merchandise. In addition to offering retail items, Delaney’s store will have home and garden décor consultations, advice on choosing paint colors, and assistance with staging a home for sale.

Local firm’s work space among Chicago’s ‘coolest’ The office of One Zero Charlie, the design firm in the former gas station building at South and Jefferson streets, has been named by Crain’s Chicago Business as one of the 12 coolest offices in Chicago. After the building was bought by Michael and Joeleen Stanard, the couple transformed the classic 1950s Bauhaus-inspired building for Stanard’s marketing communication and design consulting firm. Extensive interior remodeling was designed by Stanard and completed by Woodstock craftsman Lee Mahr, with exterior painting done by Rodney Pagilalong, also of Woodstock. Stanard and his associates also were involved in creating the Woodstock mural and sculpture garden next to Classic Cinemas Theatre on Main Street. Executive designer James Westwood and designer Laura Wolverton are involved in the creation of branding and marketing communication programs for the firm’s local, regional, and national clientele.

Ethereal Confections named business champ

Woodstock chocolatier Ethereal Confections has been name a “business champion” by the McHenry County Economic Development Commission. Ethereal was presented the award for businesses with 24 or fewer employees. The business last month moved its operation to Cass and Throop streets, in the former Elks Lodge building. In addition to making chocolate for retail and wholesale customers worldwide, Ethereal maintains a café with homemade desserts and baked goods.

Record $44,000 raised at Keefe Kares banquet

About 275 people attended Keefe Kares, the charitable branch of Keefe Real Estate, for its fifth annual celebration Nov. 1 at Hawk’s View Golf Club in Lake Geneva, Wis., where a record $44,000 was raised. The evening included dinner and music, along with silent auction items, a live auction, and 18 raffle prizes. Woodstock-area agencies benefiting from Keefe Kares’ 2019 rolling-grant gifts included Family Health Partnership Clinic, Gavers Community Cancer Foundation, and Turning Point. “It was extremely exciting to see the level of support from the community, ...” Keefe’s President and CEO Tom Keefe said.

Sourcing merchandise

“I drive everywhere,” Delaney said in describing how she finds items for her store. She visits garage sales and thrift shops, as well as calling on people who ask her to look at things they are getting rid of. If a piece needs work, Delaney sands and refinishes the wood to bring out its natural beauty. Her most recent birthday present was a handheld power drill. With a decades-long love for

antiques, Delaney understands their enduring appeal. “The search for the finds is really exciting,” she said. People like to discover “something that’s unique.” Even a young person who is just starting out can afford a one-of-akind piece that makes a statement. “You want to have a piece in your home that stands out,” Delaney said. The Gilded Acorn, 121 E. Calhoun St., will open Saturday, Nov. 23. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The store will have extended hours during special events on the Square. For more information, call owner Suzanne Delaney at 815-3556515 or email her at info@TheGildedAcorn.com.

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY SUSAN W. MURRAY

Delaney lettered this vintage shutter as a sign for the store’s antiques. Continued from Previous page

Jewelry and Pawn.

Creating an ambiance

After signing on the dotted line, Delaney began moving items into the store. She pushed everything to a back wall until she had created alcoves for display. She has recruited four vendors who each maintain their own areas and help out with staffing the store. “In a good business, the owner is present,” said Delaney, who plans to be in the store nearly every day. In a tour of the shop, Delaney points out unique pieces of furniture – a mid-century modern dining hutch, an ornately carved mahogany cabinet, a reupholstered Victorian glider. Smaller items run the gamut from original pieces of Depression glass to new flameless candles. One find of local interest is a 1917 final exam from an English IV class at Woodstock High School, for sale along with the book in which it was discovered: “Representative Poems of Robert Burns with Carlyle’s Essay,” copyright 1897. Delaney is also prepping the basement as retail space. Even with one area sectioned off as her workspace for furniture repair and restoration, there is room for sets of vintage chairs and display tables for smaller

The “Gone Antiquing” sign provides an apt description for the collection on this bookcase.

NICE SMILES

17 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT Nov. 20-26, 2019

Staff members at City Square Dental in Woodstock celebrate their Veterans Day service of providing more than $10,000 of dental care to deserving veterans. On Nov. 11, Drs. Elli Emmons and Whitney Behm saw veterans for treatment the dentists said was underfunded â&#x20AC;&#x201C; or not funded at all. The staff plans to host the event every year.

A magical night of giving, celebration and tradition. F R I D AY NOVE M BE R 29 5-9PM TH E H ISTORIC WOO D S TOC K SQUA R E

The Lighting of the Square attracts thousands from across McHenry County to the historic Woodstock Square to celebrate the official start of the Holiday Season. This magical celebration is a family tradition for residents and visitors alike. Come early and stay late to enjoy all the nostalgic charm and tradition Woodstock offers, as it truly shines during the holidays. Visit the Elf Escape heated tent on E. Jackson St. for family activities including crafts, story time and a community banner signing for the troops overseas. Donations for the troops will also be accepted.

The Lighting of the Square Ceremony begins at 7PM. Visit Santa and Mrs. Claus at their hut on the Square.

Stroll the Christmas Tree Walk at the Woodstock Opera House and the Gingerbread House Walk at the Old McHenry County Courthouse.

Enjoy the beautiful melodies of the Woodstock Community Choir.

Enjoy shopping and dining at our many unique shops and restaurants in Woodstock.

Real Woodstock is a not-for-profit established to promote economic development, increase tourism and foster growth and community in Woodstock, Illinois.

SPONSORED BY

COMMUNITY

Nov. 20-26, 2019

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

gift is $15,000 or less per donee, then you don’t have to count it in your total or report it on a gift tax return. So, if you have four children and you give them each $15,000 for Christmas, none of these gifts needs to be reported on a federal Gift Tax return, even though it is a total of $60,000 in gifts. If you are married, you and your spouse can each use the annual exclusion, so each child could receive $15,000 from each of their parents, for a total movement of cash or assets in the amount of $120,000 – and still no Gift Tax return is required to be filed. If the gift is going to your brother, niece or neighbor – the rules are the same. A final example to move even more wealth tax-and-reportingfree: parents can do this in December and again in January. In just two months, $240,000 can be moved from two parents to four children utilizing the “$15,000 annual exclusion.”

Now, if your business is having a really good year, or you win the lottery, or you just are tired of having so much wealth, you can, at any time, make a gift larger than $15,000. Go ahead! Make someone’s day! But if you do so, talk to your accountant about filing a Gift Tax return. Accountants generally charge for their services, and the cost for this tax return may be several hundred dollars. That is the more complete set of gifting rules, not just the wellknown but incomplete one. Now, go ahead and start your gift list! Patricia C. Kraft is a Woodstock attorney. Her column provides general information to help readers understand their own legal needs. This column does not provide legal advice. Please consult a lawyer if you want legal advice. No attorney-client or confidential relationship exists or will be formed between the reader and the author of this column. Previous columns may be seen in the author’s blog at patriciakraftlaw.com.

STUDENT OF THE WEEK ALEXANDER ESCHENBACHER

Alexander Eschenbacher is a senior at Marian Central Catholic High School. He is the son of Jennifer and Leroy Eschenbacher, Wonder Lake. “Alex is the definition of what Marian Central represents: selfless, humble, helpful, and giving. Alex always puts the interest of others before his own needs. He is a relentless worker in the classroom and on the baseball field, and supports all organizations that Marian Central offers with enthusiasm,” said one of his teachers. Alex earned top 10% honors of the freshman and sophomore classes. He is a member of the National Honor Society this year as well as a member of the French Honor Society. Alex is on the varsity baseball team and participates in Scholastic Bowl. Outside of school, he has volunteered with the vacation Bible school program at St. Patrick Church in McHenry. He also has volunteered at the McHenry Public Library to read books to young kids. When asked who inspires him, Alex said, “My friend Sam Lavin is an inspiration and motivation for me. We share pointers for our baseball games, but we are always trying to beat each other. Through this friendly competition, Sam and I make each other better.” When asked what makes him feel successful, Alex said, “I feel that I am successful because I work hard in anything I do. I’ve always told myself to do my best in anything I do, otherwise, what’s the point in doing it.”

Discover what matters. And build your life around it. 222 Church St., Woodstock, IL 815-337-6051 aurora.edu/woodstock

EAGLE CROSSING

Federal funds will fight health hazards at home McHenry County will receive $2.3 million in federal money designed to protect children and families in low-income households from lead-based paint and home health hazards. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced Nov. 14 that $11.3 million had been approved for Illinois as part of more than $319 million granted nationwide. McHenry County, one of only three Illinois counties to received funds, was awarded $2 million to reduce lead-based paint hazards and about $200,000 in “healthy homes” supplemental funding. According to a news release from the office of County Board Chairman Jack Franks, the county will address lead hazards in 100 housing units to provide safer homes for low- and very low-income families with children; perform healthy homes assessments in 40 units; and work with other medical and social service providers. HUD commemorated the annual National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week last month with the theme “Get the Facts; Get Your Home Tested; and Get Your Child Tested.” In a statement, Joseph P. Galvan, administrator of the HUD Midwest region, said HUD was committed to protecting families and children across McHenry County and Illinois. Franks said the county’s Planning and Development Department had worked with HUD to obtain the grant.

COMMUNITY

IN BRIEF

Nov. 20-26, 2019

COURTESY PHOTO

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

As an Eagle Scout project, Christopher Nelson (second from left) of Boy Scout Troop 329 in Woodstock rebuilt a footbridge at Ryder’s Woods. A dilapidated bridge was removed last month for a new-and-improved bridge rebuilt for hikers to safely cross a small stream. Dr. Robert Haraden of Family Dentistry of Woodstock contributed materials. Pictured are (back, from left) Troop 329 members Brendon Slick, Nelson, Seth Rowe, Donnie Andrews Sr., Adam Thomas, Perry Stevens, and (front) Donnie Andrews Jr.

Nov. 20-26, 2019

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Woodstock

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By Larry Lough

DENT.COM DSTOCKINDEPEN LARRY@THEWOO

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The Sherburne family honors Mr. and Mrs. V.D. Sherburne in 1960. The family operated a Ford dealership and then changed the building to a bowling establishment on Church Street in Woodstock that later became Wayne’s Lanes. Behind the couple are son, Carroll Sherburne, and his wife, Hazel.

The McHenry County Historical Society will host a month-long quilt contest and show kicking off with its annual Holiday Open House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at the county historical museum, 6422 Main St. in Union. The open house features free admission to the museum. Enjoy holiday music and other surprises, and browse a bake sale. Veteran Christmas memorabilia collectors Dave Harms and Lynne Eltrevoog are once again collaborating to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Frosty the Snowman and other vintage holiday decorations for your viewing enjoyment. Don Peasley Photo Collection, McHenry County Historical Society For more information, call 815-923-2267.

Kitchens • Baths • Windows • Millwork • Lumber • Doors 815-338-0075 • 1101 Lake Ave., Woodstock • www.woodstocklumber.com

30 years ago – 1989

■ The Marian Central Catholic High School varsity football team was set to return to the IHSA Class 5A state championship game after a 12-0 semifinal victory over Momence High School. ■ A bumper corn crop was being harvested across McHenry County.

■ The Woodstock High School varsity football team’s push for an IHSA Class 5A state championship ended with a 42-24 semifinal loss to Montini Catholic. Coach Steve Beard credited the strong senior class for mentoring the juniors. He said the seniors “taught them how a winning team represents itself.”

25 years ago – 1994

5 years ago – 2014

■ A plan to build additions to Woodstock High School was estimated to cost more than $30 million, or about $8 million more than the cost of a new high school, according to the district’s architects, Healy, Snyder, Bender and Associates Inc. of Naperville. ■ Hurricane football player Jason Liska was named to the IHSA Class 5A AllState football team.

20 years ago –1999

■ The Challenger Learning Center for Science & Technology was considering locating in Woodstock instead of Marengo, which had been the projected location.

15 years ago – 2004

■ Woodstock resident Judy Corson was honored by McHenry County 4-H for her decades of service as a volunteer club leader and mentor and for creating and directing the county’s 4-H Ambassador program. ■ The Woodstock Rotary Club donated seven computers to the Lakewood Neighborhood Resource Center, where children living in the Lakewood Apartments could use them as they met at the center to complete homework.

10 years ago – 2009

■ The 100th anniversary of the dedication of the Civil War Statue in the Park in the Square was celebrated by Mayor Brian Sager, Jim and Tony Zoia, and others. It was purchased in 1909 by the Woodstock Women’s Relief Corps and erected by Antonio Zoia, grandfather and great-grandfather, respectively, of Jim and Tony. ■ Chris Larson, a freshman at Valparaiso University and The Woodstock Independent webmaster, wrote a column for The Independent during Thanksgiving break. He described college as “a blast” with one exception – cafeteria food. In the spirit of Thanksgiving, he was grateful for friends, family, his dog, health, his job … and his home-cooked “Thanksgiving meal itself.”

■ Students at Olson Elementary School completed 22,370 laps during the Mustang March – a total of !,398 miles – and raised $4,787 for field trips, classroom literacy tools, and funds for purchases used to enhance the curricula. Physical education teachers and members of the Parent Teacher Organization organized the effort. ■ The Woodstock Opera House’s new production manager spent hundreds of hours working in the building before he was even on the payroll. Joe McCormack described his family as the “ad hoc usher and ushering staff” of the Opera House for years. He also was present for the rededication of the Opera House in 1977. He was looking forward to his new role. ■ The congregation of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Woodstock was preparing for its ninth annual Thanksgiving dinner for the homeless and people in need. The meal also would be served to Woodstock Fire/Rescue District personnel on duty Thanksgiving Day.

1 year ago – 2018

■ Woodstock residents Rob Mecklenburg, Mike Keyzer, and Brad Woodson had conquered the Grand Canyon in a day. The trio hiked the South Kaibab Trail down into the heart of the canyon and the North Kaibab Trail back up. Their more than 21-mile hike started at 7,000 feet, descended to 2,400 feet at the Colorado River, and then ascended up to more than 8,000 feet. ■ A 5-2 vote by the Joint Review Board gave the Woodstock City Council the authority to approve a new tax increment financing district with a simple majority vote. “Yes” votes were cast by Woodstock City Manager Roscoe Stelford, Fire Chief Mike Hill, Dorr Township Supervisor Sue Brokaw, Deputy County Administrator Scott Hartman, and public member Bonnie Gabel. D-200 Board of Education President Carl Gilmore and Robert Tenuta, chief financial officer of McHenry County College, voted “No.”

Your ad could sponsor this Flashbacks section! CALL 815-338-8040, THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM Call 815-338-8040 today. Woodstock

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COMMUNITY

CONGREGATION TIKKUN OLAM 503 W. Jackson St. (St. Ann’s Episcopal Church building) Call 815-455-9236 or email tikkunolam@ hotmail.com for service information. McHENRY COUNTY JEWISH CONGREGATION 8617 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake 815-455-1810 Worship: 7 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. Saturday ■ NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER 5115 Dean St. • 815-337-4673 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ REDEEMER LUTHERAN 1320 Dean St. • 815-338-9370 Worship: 4:30 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. Sunday, 7 p.m. ■ RESURRECTION CATHOLIC 2918 S. Country Club Road 815-338-7330 Worship: 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday; 5 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m. weekdays ■ ST. ANN’S EPISCOPAL 503 W. Jackson St. • 815-338-0950 Worship: 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday ■ ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN 401 St. John’s Road • 815-338-5159 Worship: 5 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. Sunday ■ ST. MARY CATHOLIC 313 N. Tryon St. • 815-338-3377 Worship: 7:30 a.m. Monday - Saturday; 12:15 p.m. Monday-Friday; 5 and 6:30 p.m. (Spanish) Saturday; 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m., noon (Spanish), 5 p.m. Sunday ■ THE BRIDGE CHRISTIAN 2620 Bridge Lane • 815-496-0548 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 2016 Hartland Road • 815-334-1703 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ THE VINE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 1132 N. Madison St. • 815-338-3380 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ UNITY SPIRITUAL CENTER 225 W. Calhoun St. • 815-337-3534 unitywoodstock.org Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ UPPER FOX VALLEY QUAKER MEETING 4614 Pioneer Road, McHenry 815-385-8512 Discussion and singing, 9 a.m. Sunday Worship, 10 a.m., fellowship, 11 a.m. Sunday ■ WOODSTOCK ASSEMBLY OF GOD 1201 Dean St.• 815-338-1316 Worship: 9 a.m. Sunday prayer service, 10 a.m. worship service ■ WOODSTOCK BIBLE CHURCH 118 Benton St. Worship: 10:30 a..m. Sunday

Nov. 20-26, 2019

■ BAHA’I COMMUNITY OF WOODSTOCK Gatherings are open to the public the second Saturday of each month. For information: 815-337-0126 woodstock.bahais@gmail.com ■ BLUE LOTUS TEMPLE & MEDITATION CENTER 221 Dean St. • 815-337-7378 Meditation: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Saturday; 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday ■ CASA DE BENDICION 8015 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake (Crystal Lake Christian Church) Worship: 1 p.m. Sunday, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday ■ CHRIST LIFE 13614 W. Jackson St. • 815-338-4934 Worship: 10:30 a.m. Sunday ■ COVENANT REFORMED BAPTIST CHURCH 4609 Greenwood Road P.O. Box 463 • 815-575-9612 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ EDEN BAPTIST 1903 N. Seminary Ave. • 815-814-7847 Worship: 3 p.m. Sunday (Spanish) ■ FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST 111 W. South St. • 815-338-2731 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ FIRST PRESBYTERIAN 2018 N. Route 47 • 815-338-2627 Worship: 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, choirs to present Christmas music Sunday school for children 9:45 a.m. ■ FIRST UNITED METHODIST 201 W. South St. • 815-338-3310 Worship: 9:30 a.m. Sunday ■ FREE METHODIST 934 N. Seminary Ave. • 815-338-3180 Worship: 10:30 a.m. ■ GOOD NEWS CHURCH Meeting at Dorr Township Community Room, 1039 Lake Ave. 847-343-4500 goodnewswoodstock.org Worship: 5 p.m. Sunday ■ GRACE FELLOWSHIP 200 Cairns Court • 815-337-6510 Worship: 10:15 a.m. Sunday ■ GRACE LUTHERAN 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road 815-338-0554 Worship: 5 p.m. Saturday (informal traditional); Sunday 8:30 a.m. (traditional), 10:45 a.m. (contemporary) ■ HOUSE OF BLESSING 2018 N. Route 47 (First Presbyterian Church building) cbhbfil413.com Worship: 1 p.m. Sunday ■ JEWISH REFORMED

FLASHBACKS

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

RELIGION

COMMUNITY

Nov. 20-26, 2019

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Happenings

calendar

20 WEDNESDAY WOLF OAK WOODS WORKDAY 8930 Route 120 9 a.m. to noon conservmc.org

MEMORY MAKERS STORYTELLING GROUP Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 9:30 a.m. 815-338-0542 woodstockpubliclibrary.org Led by Joy Aavang

WORLD FILM NIGHT Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 6 p.m. 815-338-0542 “Styx” will be shown.

21 THURSDAY SENIOR ACTIVITIES Dorr Township 1039 Lake Ave. 10:30 a.m. Lunch - $5 donation 815-338-0125

KIWANIS WOODSTOCK MEETING

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. Noon to 1 p.m. woodstockkiwanis@gmail.com

HISPANIC CONNECTIONS MEETING Woodstock Chamber of Commerce 127 E. Calhoun St. Noon woodstockilchamber.com

SAVE OUR STREETS City Hall 5 p.m. 815-338-4300

FAMILY READ NIGHT Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 6 to 8 p.m. 815-338-0542 woodstockpubliclibrary.org

MURDER & MAYHEM BOOK CLUB Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 7 p.m. 815-338-0542 woodstockpubliclibrary.org

22 FRIDAY

ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLUB

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 4 to 5 p.m. Call or text 815-503-2819 to confirm location. woodstockpubliclibrary.org

23 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET McHenry County Fairgrounds Building D 11900 Country Club Road 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org

25 MONDAY ATROCIOUS POETS Ethereal Confections 140 Cass St. 7 p.m. Atrociouspoets.com

GRIEF SHARE

Grace Fellowship Church

200 Cairns Court 6 to 8 p.m. 815-337-6510

26 TUESDAY

COFFEE AT THE CAFÉ Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. 1 p.m. For senior citizens bvidales@woodstockil.gov 815-338-4363

NANOWRIMO COME WRITE-IN

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 7 p.m. woodstockpubliclibrary.org

28 THURSDAY THANKSGIVING DAY

29 FRIDAY

ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLUB

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 4 to 5 p.m. Call or text 815-503-2819 to confirm location. woodstockpubliclibrary.org

CHRISTMAS TREE WALK Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. 4 p.m.

LIGHTING OF THE SQUARE

To submit calendar items, email pr@thewoodstockindependent.com

1 SUNDAY

DONATO CONSERVATION AREA WORKDAY 700 Ridgeland Ave. 9 a.m. to noon conserveMC.org

6:30 to 8 p.m. woodstockpubliclibrary.org

WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL MEETING City Hall 121 W. Calhoun St. 7 p.m. 815-338-4300

CHRISTMAS PARADE AND COOKIES WITH SANTA

4 WEDNESDAY

Woodstock Square 2 p.m. 815-338-4212

MONTHLY DRUM CIRCLE

Culture, Arts & Music 1039 Wanda Lane 3 to 4 p.m. $10 suggested donation RSVP encouraged, 815-575-8587

2 MONDAY

WOLF OAK WOODS WORKDAY 8930 Route 120 9 a.m. to noon conservmc.org

5 THURSDAY LADIES NIGHT OUT Woodstock Square 5 to 9 p.m. 815-338-2436

SPOUSAL CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Independence Health & Therapy 2028 N. Seminary Ave. 10:30 a.m. to noon 815-338-3590

6 FRIDAY

MCHENRY COUNTY HORSE CLUB MEETING

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. All day woodstockpubliclibrary.org

Dorr Township Office 1039 Lake Ave. 7 p.m. mchenrycountyhorseclub.com

ENGLISH CONVERSATION CLUB

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 4 to 5 p.m. Call or text 815-503-2819 to confirm location.

FOX VALLEY ROCKETEERS MEETING Woodstock North High School 3000 Raffel Road, Room D187 7:30 p.m. 815-337-9068 foxvalleyrocketeers.org

Woodstock Square 5-9 p.m. 815-338-4212 See Page 11

3 TUESDAY

DECEMBER

Gifts galore Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St.

7 SATURDAY

AS SEEN ON PINTEREST: ADULT CRAFTS

Resurrection Catholic Church

FRIDAY FUN DAYS

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET McHenry County Fairgrounds Building D 11900 Country Club Road 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org Continued on Next page

2918 South Country Club Road Woodstock, IL 60098

We welcome all to join us at our Mass times: Saturday at 5:00 pm & Sunday at 8:00 am and 10:30 am.

We, the members of the Resurrection Catholic Church, are a prayerful, loving community formed by the Holy Spirit, striving to be a sign of the Gospel values of Jesus Christ: justice, truth and love.

MUSIC

JAZZ NIGHT

ORIGINAL OPEN MIC Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. 815-338-5164 $5 donation

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET McHenry County Fairgrounds Building D 11900 Country Club Road Dec. 7, 9 a.m. Northwest Highway, 11 a.m. Cheryl and the DownHome Boys woodstockfarmersmarket.org

Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. offsquaremusic.org $15 donation

OPEN MIC NIGHT

FRIENDS OF THE OPERA HOUSE FUNDRAISER Nov. 29, 5:30 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. offsquaremusic.org $40, or two for $70; $50 each after Nov. 20

WHS WINTER JAZZ CONCERT

FIRST SATURDAY MUSIC Dec. 7, 7 p.m. Unity Spiritual Center of Woodstock 225 W. Calhoun St. $3 donation offsquaremusic.org

SECOND SUNDAY CONCERT SERIES

Potts and Pans Steelband Dec. 8, 3 p.m. Culture, Arts and Music 1039 Wanda Lane $10, free for children younger than 6 pottsandpans.com

WHS CHOIR HOLIDAY COLLAGE CONCERT

Dec. 4, 7:30 pm. Woodstock High School 501 W. South St.

calendar

Continued from Previous page

CHRISTMAS BAZAAR Nativity Lutheran Church 3506 E. Wonder Lake Road Wonder Lake 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 815-653-3832

Dec. 10, 7 p.m. Woodstock High School

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 10 a.m. woodstockpubliclibrary.org

9 MONDAY GRIEF SHARE

Grace Fellowship Church 200 Cairns Court 6 to 8 p.m. 815-337-6510

STAGE LEFTOVERS

Dec. 11, 7 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. woodstockoperahouse.org

WINTER ORCHESTRA CONCERT

Dec. 12, 7 p.m. Woodstock North High School 3000 Raffel Road

WHS WINTER BAND CONCERT Dec. 12, 7 p.m. Woodstock High School 501 W. South St.

2ND ANNUAL HOLIDAY WISHES Dec. 14, 8 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. aplacetoshinemusic.com $18

YULETIDE ON THE NORTHSIDE

Dec. 16, 7:30 p.m. Woodstock North High School 3000 Raffel Road

PRIDE MEETING

Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry 127 E. Calhoun St. 6 p.m. woodstockilchamber.com

COFFEE WITH THE CHIEF Woodstock Police Department 656 Lake Ave. 7 p.m. 815-338-2131

ATROCIOUS POETS Ethereal Confections

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IN WOODSTOCK EVERY WEEK! serving Woodstock for 32 years

Robert Rodriguez – “Lennon and McCartney: Truth and Beauty” Nov. 21, 10 a.m. Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. $25 woodstockoperahouse.com

BALLET

‘THE NUTCRACKER BALLET’

Dec. 13, 14, 20, 21, 7 p.m. Dec. 14, 15, 21, 22, 2 p.m. Dec. 15, 22, 6 p.m. Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. Adults $26, students $19 (Dress rehearsal Dec. 13, $16) woodstockoperahouse.com

THEATER

‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’

Nov. 22, 23, 29, 30, Dec. 6, 7,8 p.m. Nov. 24, 30, Dec. 1, 7, 8, 2 p.m. Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. Adults $29 A seating, $26 B seating; students and senior citizens $27 A, $24 B woodstockoperahouse.com

COMEDY

CAFÉ COMEDY NIGHT

MOVIES

‘ELF’ THE MOVIE

Nov. 27, 7 p.m. Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. $5 woodstockoperahouse.com

‘POLAR EXPRESS’ THE MOVIE Dec. 4, 7 p.m. Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. $5 woodstockoperahouse.com

‘WHITE CHRISTMAS’ _ THE MOVIE SING ALONG Dec. 16, 17, 18, 19, 7 p.m. Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. $5 (Dec. 17, 19, 19 sold out) woodstockoperahouse.com

MAGIC

MAGIC AT THE CAFÉ

Dec. 7, 1 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. $10 operahouse@woodstockil.gov

SPOKEN WORD

Comedians: John P. Hopkins and George Tracy Nov. 23, 8 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St.

SPOKEN WORD CAFÉ

140 Cass St. 7 p.m. Atrociouspoets.com

D-200 BOARD MEETING

10 TUESDAY

COFFEE AT THE CAFÉ Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. 1 p.m. For senior citizens bvidales@woodstockil.gov 815-338-4363

Dec. 21, 7 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St.

Woodstock High School Learning Resource Center 501 W. South St. 7 p.m. 815-338-8200

11 WEDNESDAY WOLF OAK WOODS WORKDAY 8930 Route 120 9 a.m. to noon conservmc.org

COMMUNITY

Nov. 27, Dec. 13, 7:30 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. offsquaremusic.org $3 donation

Dec. 10, 7 p.m. Woodstock North High School 3000 Raffel Road

CREATIVE LIVING SERIES

$10 operahouse@woodstockil.gov

Nov. 20-26, 2019

SMALL POTATOES

DAR GENEALOGY WORKSHOP

Dec. 6, 20, 8 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. $5 donation jazzonthesquare.com

WOODSTOCK NORTH HIGH SCHOOL WINTER BAND CONCERT

LECTURE

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Nov. 20-26, 2019

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Deadline: NOON Thursday for next week’s issue

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To place an ad: CALL 815-338-8040 • VISIT thewoodstockindependent.com

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Nov. 20-26, 2019

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RUBES

By Leigh Rubin

HEATHCLIFF

By Peter Gallagher

CROSSWORD

Dec. 27-Jan. 2, 2017

Nov. 20-26, 2019

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

SUDOKU

PUZZLE PAGE

1110 N. Seminary Ave., Woodstock • 6am-9pm • 815-3378230

FREE APPETIZER

with a purchase of two lunch or dinner entrees through November 30, 2019 (breaded mushrooms or mozzarella cheese sticks)

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CLUES ACROSS 1. Small viper 4. Some are covert 7. A waiver of liability (abbr.) 10. Speak out 11. Retirement plan 12. Small dog 13. City in Iraq 15. Car mechanics group 16. Shrimp-like creature 19. Majestic 21. TV detective 23. Central Canadian province 24. Causing to wind around 25. Wise man 26. Knicks legend Willis 27. Muscular weaknesses 30. John Stockton compiled them 34. South American plant 35. To some extent 36. Where manners are displayed 41. Showy 45. Fall down 46. Shoelaces are often this 47. Disease-causing bacterium 50. Egg-shaped wind instrument 54. Sufferings 55. One who noisily enjoys 56. About blood 57. Transaction verification system (abbr.) 59. Related through female family members 60. Low velocity grenade 61. “In Living Color” comedian 62. Veterans battleground 63. Expression of creative skill

64. Midway between northeast and east 65. Patti Hearst’s captors CLUES DOWN 1. Something useful 2. It goes great with peppers and onions 3. Orifice 4. Turned into bone 5. The Princess could detect it 6. Bands of colors 7. Makes use of 8. Central African country 9. Lake in the Kalahari Desert 13. He was a “Chairman” 14. Legally possess 17. One point north of due west 18. Small peg of wood 20. Stretch of swampy ground 22. Is indebted to

27. Where you were born (abbr.) 28. A team’s best pitcher 29. Cool! 31. Female sibling 32. This stimulates the thyroid (abbr.) 33. Reserved 37. More prickled 38. Forbidden by law 39. One-time presidential candidate 40. A TV show has more than one 41. A place to stash things 42. Defunct currency in India 43. Causes to ferment 44. A type of gland 47. __ Humbug! 48. Everyone has one 49. Punctuation 51. Central American fruit 52. Brooklyn hoopster 53. 100 square meters 58. Local area network SOLUTION

CRYPTO FUN

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PUZZLES & COMICS

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.

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on OCTOBER 29, 2019 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on OCTOBER 9. 2019 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: MAKING CONNECTIONS located at 9716 US HIGHWAY 12 RICHMOND IL 60071. Owner Name & Address: LARISSA MARIE DIDRIKSEN W1037 ARALIA RD GENOA CITY WI 53128. Dated: OCTOBER 9, 2019 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent November 13, 2019, November 20, 2019) L10912

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Self-Storage Sale Please take notice Red Dot Storage 6 - Woodstock 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 occur as an online auction via www. storageauctions.com on 12/3/2019 at 9:30 am. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents are household goods and furnishings. Paul Heilman Unit #518; Carl Gordon Unit #419; Ivy Sagrado Unit #214; Nadine Gordon Unit #815. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Certain terms

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on NOVEMBER 8, 2019 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: PURELY CLEAN HOME SOLUTIONS located at 18720 HWY 176 MARENGO IL 60152. Owner Name & Address: DELICIA BROWN 18720 HWY 176 MARENGO IL 60152. Dated: NOVEMBER 8, 2019 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent November 13, 2019, November 20, 2019) L10915

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 22nd JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY PUBLICATION NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE (ADULT) Request of Suzanne Munson Janusz Case No. 19MR001028 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Suzanne Munson Junusz to the new name of: Suzanne Janusz The court date will be held on January 10, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. at 2200 N. Seminary Ave. Woodstock, McHenry County in Courtroom # 201. Dated at Woodstock, IL, November 8, 2019 /s/Suzanne Munson Janusz (Published in The Woodstock Independent November 13, 2019, November 20, 2019) L10916

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY-IN PROBATE

Case No. 2019PR00234 In the Matter of the Estate of WILLIAM CLINE ROBERTSON Deceased CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of WILLIAM CLINE ROBERTSON Of: 2 CHESTNUT COURT, CARY, ILLINOIS 60013 Letters of office were issued on: 9/23/2019 to: Representative: SHIRLEY VAN DIGGELEN 2 CHESTNUT COURT CARY, ILLINOIS 60013 whose attorney is: PATRICK SMITH, ESQ. 210-A CRYSTAL STREET CARY, IL 60013 Claims against the estate may be filed within six months from the date of 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 November 20, 2019) L10917

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Self-Storage Sale Please take notice Red Dot Storage 78 - Woodstock located at 740 Washington Rd., Woodstock, IL 60098 intends to hold an auction of the goods stored in the following unit in default for non-payment of rent. The sale will occur as an online auction via www. storageauctions.com on 12/10/2019 at 9:30 AM. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents are household goods and furnishings. Gabriella Carbajal Unit #157; Vincent Carbajal Unit #025; Raymond Morgan Jr. Unit #142. 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 November 20, 2019) L10918

PUBLIC NOTICE

Before the City Council Of the City of Woodstock NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that a Public Hearing will be held by the City Council of the City of Woodstock, McHenry County, Illinois in connection with the proposed imposition of a new Motor Fuel Tax of 3 cents per gallon. Said proposed Motor Fuel Tax is intended to be used for future Woodstock City roadway and other transportation infrastructure needs. Said hearing will be held on Tuesday, December 3, 2019 at 7:00 P.M. in the City Council Chambers located at 121 W. Calhoun Street, Woodstock, Illinois at which time and place any person desiring to be heard will have the opportunity to comment. (Published in The Woodstock Independent November 20, 2019) L10919

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on NOVEMBER 13, 2019 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: RDS ELECTRICAL SERVICES located at 420 W DONOVAN AVE., WOODSTOCK IL 60098. Owner Name & Address: RUSSELL D SHAFER 420 W DONOVAN AVE., WOODSTOCK IL 60098. Dated: NOVEMBER 13, 2019 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent November 20, 2019) L10920

PUBLIC NOTICES

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on OCTOBER 29, 2019 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: RecCentric located at 7806 CYPRESS DRIVE WONDER LAKE, IL 60097. Owner Name & Address: JOHN A. STAPLES 7806 CYPRESS DRIVE WONDER LAKE, IL 60097. Dated: OCTOBER 29, 2019 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent November 6, 2019, November 13, 2019, November 20, 2019) L10910

PUBLIC NOTICE

and conditions apply. See manager for details. (Published in The Woodstock Independent November 13, 2019, November 20, 2019) L10913

Nov. 20-26, 2019

PUBLIC NOTICE

business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as: ALL-IN RESTORATION SERVICES located at 9505 ELM LN CRYSTAL LAKE IL 60014. Owner Name & Address: ASANTE DANIEL NKRUMAH ALLEN 9505 ELM LN CRYSTAL LAKE IL 60014. Dated: OCTOBER 29, 2019 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent November 6, 2019, November 13, 2019, November 20, 2019) L10911

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 22nd JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY PUBLICATION NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE (ADULT) Request of Madelyne Anne Swain Case No. 19MR000985 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Madelyne Anne Swain to the new name of: Madelyne Hazel Lynne The court date will be held on December 13, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at 2200 N. Seminary Ave. Woodstock, McHenry County in Courtroom # 201. Dated at Woodstock, IL, October 28, 2019 /s/Madelyne Anne Swain (Published in The Woodstock Independent November 6, 2019, November 13, 2019, November 20, 2019) L10908

SPORTS

Nov. 20-26, 2019

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Sports NN SCOREBOARD NN FALL ALL-CONFERENCE ATHLETES

KRC WOODSTOCK HIGH SCHOOL Football – Michael Purkey, Nathan Archambeau, and Alex Wojnicki. Boys Cross-Country – Daniel Berkebile, Clark Shulfer, Jack Hansen, Logan Hagmann, Aidan Schleutermann, and Max Hodory. Girls Cross Country – Shannon Koscinski, Emma Meiners, and Theresa Presisto. Volleyball – Player of the year Hanna Berry. Sophie Wicker, Lauryn Hahn, Emma Brand, and Ella Wicker. Boys Soccer – Player of the year Oscar Escorza. Goal keeper of the year Stephan Turskey. Mac Buckley, Victor Cazares, Prithvi Patel, Denis Gjoni, and Dylan Gonzalez. Boys Co-op Golf – Charlie Neff, Brad Arnold, Luke Trewyn, Aidan Filetti, Tanner Hurless, and Sam Berry. KRC WOODSTOCK NORTH Football – Elijah Pena, Hans Goll, Colin Zinn, Bryce Nolan. Boys Cross-Country – Frank Dudzik, and Jorge Aragon. Girls Cross-Country – Abby Hartmann, Hannah Pittman, Amber Elliott, and Meghan McCann. Volleyball – Brooke Amann, Alyssa Wickersheim, and Kylie Schulze. Boys Soccer – Eliel Reynoso, Jesus Diaz, Jesus Lopez, and Jack Duenas. Girls Tennis – Aly Cullotta, Kirsten Morey, Juliana Conrad. ESCC MARIAN CENTRAL Football – Austin Geils, Luke Rogers, Mason Schwalbach, Bryce Shelton, Harrison Stanko, and Jayden Thiergood. Boys Cross-Country – Chris Atadero, Ryan Jones, and Peter Walsdorf. Girls Cross-Country – Siobhan Stoll, conference champion and athlete of the year, and Caroline Binotti. Boys Golf – Brogan Pivnicka Girls Golf – Lauren McNulty

SCOREBOARD PRESENTED BY

815.338.7830

205 E. South St. • Woodstock

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY VICKY LONG

WNHS volleyball player Brooke Amann signs a national letter of intent to play at South Dakota State University while her parents, Mike and Debbie Amann, look on.

‘She set a goal and accomplished it’ Brooke Amann signs to play D-1 volleyball By Sandy Kucharski

SANDY@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Volleyball standout Brooke Amann has signed a national letter of intent to continue her volleyball career at South Dakota State University, becoming the first Woodstock North athlete to sign with a Division I school. With that signature Nov. 12, she accepted full tuition for four years, accomplishing a goal she set for herself as a sophomore and tirelessly worked for for the past several years. The signing event offered coaches, administrators, friends and family the opportunity to speak and share observations and congratulations. The prevalent theme was Amann’s unwavering determination. “She set a goal and accomplished it,” said Brady Stromquist, Woodstock North’s athletic director.

“We’re very proud of your accomplishments, on and off the court,” he told her. Stromquist talked about what a great role model Amann has been and the impact she’s had on WNHS and the future of the program in general.

Career by numbers

The numbers reflect Amann’s impact on WNHS volleyball, at home and beyond. She has been a four-year varsity letter winner in volleyball, a key member on two IHSA Class 3A Regional championship teams, a three-time member of the Kishwaukee River Conference team, and KRC player of the year in 2018. She was selected to the American Volleyball Coaches Association All Region team for Region 6, along with several all-state teams throughout her high school career. Amann holds seven school records at WNHS including kills per match, season, and career; Continued on next page

INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO

Amann in action Oct. 7 against Woodstock High School.

Continued from previous page

Staff Report

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Swimming is a sport where the real competition is against the clock, and athletes strive to better their times. The Woodstock girls co-op swimmers did just that Nov. 16 at the IHSA Girls Swimming sectional championship meet in Barrington. Seven of the girls set new personal records during the meet to finish their seasons on a high mark. Leading the way, sophomore Haley Halsall medaled in the 100-yard butterfly, finishing in fifth. The following girls all walked away with PRs: Laney Peterson, 100 butterfly and 500 free; Haley Halsall, 100 butterfly; Abbie Heidtke, 100 free; Autumn Zimmerman, 100 free;

Izzy Halsall, 100 back; Angelina Scolio, 100 back and 50 free; and Kyla Grismer, 100 breast. As a team, Woodstock co-op finished 11th.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY VICKY LONG

Medal winner Haley Halsall smiles after the 100 butterfly race.

Ex-Marian QB to play in Grey Cup By Susan W. Murray

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Winnipeg Blue Bomber Chris Streveler, who quarterbacked the highly successful 2011 and 2012 Marian Central Catholic Hurricanes, is headed to the Grey Cup, the Canadian equivalent of the Super Bowl. The Blue Bombers will take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at 5:30 p.m. (Woodstock time) this Sunday, Nov. 24. The game will be televised on ESPN2. Streveler moved to the Canadian

Finally, Brooke Amann had her chance to address the large crowd that had gathered in support and recognition of her accomplishments. “I have no words to describe how grateful I’ve been to everyone,” she said, directing her comments to people who helped her achieve her dream from her parents to teammates to athletic trainer, coach, and community. “My goal has always been D-1,” she said, “and it definitely paid off.”

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Football League after setting 20 program records and five Missouri Valley Conference records while he quarterbacked the University of South Dakota Coyotes. The Blue Bombers deploy Streveler as a rushing quarterback. In the Nov. 10 win over the Calgary Stampeders to clinch the Western Division, Streveler rushed for 82 yards, including a touchdown. On Nov. 17, the Blue Bombers defeated the Saskatchewan Roughriders, 20-13, to advance to the 107th Grey Cup. Streveler, likely hampered by his injured foot, rushed for just 10 yards in four carries in the semifinal game.

SIOBHAN STOLL, RYAN JONES & PETER WALSDORF CROSS-COUNTRY

Congratulations to Siobhan Stoll (8th place), Ryan Jones (15th place), and Peter Walsdorf (11th place) who participated in the IHSA 2A Cross Country State Final. All three runners received All-State Honors.