The
Woodstock
I NDEPENDENT
Dec. 23-29, 2020
Published every Wednesday | Est. 1987 | Serving Woodstock, Wonder Lake and Bull Valley, Ill. | www.thewoodstockindependent.com | $1.50
Courthouse project gets green light By Larry Lough
LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
Two months after pumping the brakes on Woodstock’s aggressive program to upgrade streets, the City Council has put remodeling of the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House on the fast track. Council members had voted 7-0 in
OPINION
‘A Visit from St. Nicholas’: Happy Christmas to all PAGE 6
MARKETPLACE
October to “pause” the street program that saw more than 19 lane miles resurfaced this year with a $9.4 million bond issue. Before concerns about the economic impact from COVID-19 on city finances, they had plans to continue the program in 2021 and spend up to $50 million over the next five years. Although the Old Courthouse project was on last week’s City Council
agenda as only a discussion item, members decided they wanted to act sooner rather than later to remodel the interior of the downtown historic buildings for commercial and civic use – even in the middle of a pandemic that has depressed the economy. “I don’t think we should be the ones slowing this down,” Councilwoman See COURTHOUSE, Page 2
SANTA’S HELPER
Animal shelters’ inventory low for Christmas canines
PAGE 12
COMMUNITY
St. Mary students re-enact Our Lady of Guadalupe story
PAGE 17
INDEX
Obituaries
4
Opinion
6
Schools
9
A&E
11
Marketplace
12
Community
15
Calendar
20
Classified
22
Puzzles
24
Public Notices
25
Sports
26
The Woodstock Independent
671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098 Phone: 815-338-8040 Fax: 815-338-8177 Thewoodstock independent.com
INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI
Cameron Monti sorts newly arriving presents at his home on Ayrshire Court in Woodstock as part of his project to fulfill Christmas wishes for children who dropped letters to Santa in a special mailbox at his home.
Making Christmas special
Cameron Monti had a plan to make hundreds of wishes come true By Tricia Carzoli
NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
December often brings with it a blizzard of surprises and letters. One of Santa’s helpers – Woodstock resident Cameron Monti – is keeper of both. Born with a passion to overcome adversity, Monti was abandoned as an infant in South Korea and lived his
first two years in an orphanage and foster home before he was adopted by a family from Wheaton. Though his lineage and birthdate are unknown, it seems he might have had some North Pole roots. “I struggled as a child for different reasons – like most people have,” he said. “I always wanted to show everyone that I could – that I could do what they said I couldn’t.”
Putting in years of hard work, Monti, who now is the chief operating officer and general counsel for MDH Venture Capital and XL Jets.net, accomplished his goals, eventually teaching law at the school that once sent him a rejection letter. This December, he was in the business of accepting letters of a different kind. See SANTA, Page 2
NEWS
Dec. 23-29, 2020
THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT
2
COURTHOUSE
restaurant business especially hard. Moore told the council he had recently spoken with owners of Public House and Ethereal, who want to move forward even though the proposed timeline is “a little tight for them, a little uncomfortable.” “Both had encouraging things to say about really wanting to stick with this project,” Moore said. “[The pandemic] is not a deal killer, but it might cause some heartburn.” Even with the state tax credits, City Finance Director Paul Christensen said, an investor would want tenants under contract for at least 50 percent of the space. “And we’re just not sure [tenants] will be able to take that on when we need them to commit” in the first half of 2021, he said. Mayor Sager joined other council members in preferring a more aggressive timeline rather than waiting a year to get started. “When [investors] begin to see the light at the end of the COVID tunnel, there’s going to be a large rush to invest, ...” he said. “Think positively.”
Continued from Page 1
Wendy Piersall said. “If the circumstances are going to slow us down, let the circumstances slow us down.” Those circumstances involve trying to find an investor to help in financing the project and getting prospective clients – restaurants specifically – to commit to a rental contract amid the uncertainty caused by COVID-19. Council members were unanimous in their desire to aggressively pursue the project, which would see construction start by about September 2021. An option, City Planner Darrell Moore told the council, would be to delay the work until 2022, “I want us to go ahead till we can’t go any further,” Councilman Gordie Tebo said. “If we can’t get an investor, if we can’t get tenants, let them tell us that.”
Tax credits ‘huge’
Mayor Brian Sager, in a later interview, said the Old Courthouse project was “totally different” from the streets program. For one thing, he said, the historic buildings fall within the city’s tax increment financing district, which generates funds that already have restored the exterior of the 19th century structures. More TIF money is anticipated for the interior remodeling. And second, the city learned it has qualified for state historic tax credits, which will help to attract a private investor. “That’s huge,” Sager said. Both are restricted use funds, one by geography, the other by project. Moore told the council last week that the city’s acceptance could mean up to $2.1 million toward the project. “We need to find a partner,” Moore said, “and create a structure in which we can split this windfall.” He suggested the city form a nonprofit LLC to work with the investor. Sager explained the financing factors made this the right time to aggressively pursue the Old Courthouse project.
SANTA Continued from Page 1
Monti has always wanted to do something special around Christmas, and 2020 provided the perfect backdrop. His neighbor Joe Langton, owner of local landscape and construction company Langton Group, called Cameron and his family “genuinely the nicest family I’ve ever met.” “When he told me what he had planned, I told him it was awesome, …” Langton said. “The next thing I knew, he had a mailbox in front of his
Looking for investor
STUDIO GWA
This drawing shows proposed uses of the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House. No final decisions on space use have been made. “Sometimes you just have to go forward with the project you have on the table before you,” he said. The council also has yet to decide exactly how it will pay for the next few years of major street work. “We fully intend on moving forward,” the mayor said, “when we consider the economy is in a stronger position.”
Year of discussion
The council has discussed details of the Old Courthouse project – from exterior design to interior space use – for the past year, since accepting proposals from prospective tenants last December. house.” What Langton didn’t know was that Monti’s plan had been in the works for a while. “I tried to do something last year, and was looking for an authentic old mailbox for the letters, but I couldn’t find one,” Monti explained. “This year I found something from a family-owned shop, and ... I just kind of winged it.” That mailbox became the conduit used to get local children’s letters from his home to the North Pole. “I stuck it out there, and put it out on Facebook,” Monti said. “I didn’t know what to expect – maybe 50-80 letters, and I promised a reply to each one.
Four businesses submitted plans for using spaces within the two historic buildings: Public House restaurant, which wants to expand from the space it already occupies on the ground floor of the Old Courthouse; Ethereal Confections and Café, which has a newly remodeled building on Cass Street, across from the Sheriff’s House; Milk House ice cream shop of Pingree Grove; and Woodstock Public Library. Studio GWA, a Rockford architectural firm owned by Gary W. Anderson, has provided detailed plans for the project. But COVID-19 changed the business environment last March, hitting the
The city also hopes to receive an additional $1 million in federal tax credits for the project, which received “conditional” approval from the National Park Board, the agency that monitors restoration of buildings on the Register of Historic Places. The 13-month interior restoration would be financed with a $3.8 million bond issue in addition to the tax credits. The $340,000 annual payment on the 15-year bond would be divided between anticipated revenue from tenants (about $215,000) and tax increment financing funds ($125,000). The city also will have used about $4 million in TIF money to stabilize and rehabilitate the structure of the historic Old Courthouse (built in 1857) and Sheriff’s House (1887). Plante Moran, Chicago-based accounting and consulting firm, is helping the city to find the investor.
Then, as I was reading them, I thought I wanted to do something different.” And this is where the story begins.
‘Making a difference’
In the eight days the light-covered mailbox was out, Monti received 315 letters. All Monti had promised was that Santa would write a response. But as he was getting them to the North Pole, he began to notice that some families needed things a bit earlier, and he offered to help. At first he thought he would buy gifts for families in difficult situations, but then he decided he could be outlandishly generous.
See SANTA, Page 3
INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI
Roxanne Monti (left) and Gretchen Heeren enjoy sorting and packing the gifts as part of the Christmas project their husbands have organized.
Staff Report
NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
Report Infections
52 133 (+81) 234 (+101) 348 (+114) 503 (+155) 703 (+200) 953 (+250) 1,175 (+223) 1,407 (+232) 1,584 (+177) 1,733 (+149) 1,849 (+116) 1,911 (+62) 2,002 (+91) 2,119 (+117) 2,268 (+149) 2,470 (+202) 2,703 (+233) 2,946 (+243) 3,210 (+264) 3,396 (+186) 3.598 (+202) 3,828 (+230) 4,002 (+174) 4,199 (+197) 4,343 (+144) 4,527 (+184) 4,705 (+178) 4,992 (+288) 5,298 (+306) *6,035 (+737) *6,906 (+871) *8,170 (+1,264) *10,301 (+2,131) *11,602 (+1,301) *12,432 (+830) *15,091 (+2,659) *16,176 (+1,085) *17,310 (+1,134)
* Change to state metrics
Deaths
2 3 (+1) 7 (+4) 16 (+9) 28 (+12) 39 (+11) 50 (+11) 61 (+11) 69 (+8) 73 (+4) 83 (+10) 87 (+4) 90 (+3) 96 (+6) 97 (+1) 101 (+4) 106 (+5) 108 (+2) 112 (+4) 113 (+1) 113 (+0) 113 (+0) 115 (+2) 116 (+1) 116 (+0) 118 (+2) 118 (+0) 119 (+1) 119 (+0) 120 (+1) 120 (+0) 120 (+0) 120 (+0) 120 (+0) 136 (+16) 147 (+11) 163 (+16) 176 (+13) 181 (+5)
NOW PRANCER AND VIXEN
INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI
A vintage Santa and turn-of-the-century sleigh bring Christmas joy to passersby along Dean Street. Gary Grana and his wife brought the display that once stood at their Arlington Heights store, Grand Frame, to their Woodstock home. “It is great to see people walking by and taking notice – especially for the kids,” Gary said.
NEWS
03/29 04/05 04/12 04/19 04/26 05/03 05/10 05/17 05/24 05/31 06/07 06/14 06/21 06/28 07/05 07/12 07/19 07/26 08/02 08/09 08/16 08/23 08/30 09/04 09/11 09/18 09/25 10/02 10/09 10/16 10/25 11/01 11/08 11/15 11/22 11/29 12/6 12/13 12/19
Dec. 23-29, 2020
Valley Hi Nursing Home has reported several new cases of COVID-19 among residents and staff. And the Woodstock Public Library is in the middle of a two-week shutdown after a staff member tested positive for the virus, leading to the quarantine of several employees. Those are among the latest reports of infections during the recent spike in the spread of the coronavirus in McHenry County and Woodstock . The county Department of Health reported Friday the death toll from the virus was 181, more than a third of those in the past five weeks. Thomas Annarella, administrator at Valley Hi, reported the outbreak and spread among residents. Late last week, he said the home’s “active” total of confirmed cases was 19 residents. Four staff members also had tested positive, but two had recovered. After reporting early last week that “the stress level and fear level is sky high right now,” Annarella later observed in a statement that “all our residents are in good spirits. A news release from the library said administrators learned Dec. 13 that a staff member who had been exposed to COVID-19 outside work had tested positive for the virus, leading to quarantining of several other staff. Curbside delivery of materials will continue and the staff will answer phones and emails, the release said.
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WEEKLY COVID-19 CASES FOR McHENRY COUNTY
THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT
Virus continues to spread locally
INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI
Roxanne Monti, Cameron Monti, Joe Langton, and Gretchen Heeran pose with the Santa Mailbox that had been in front of the Montis’ home on Ayrshire Court to receive letters with children’s Christmas wishes. He was surprised to get more than 300.
SANTA Continued from Page 2
Monti bought gifts for each letter writer unless the parent specifically requested no gifts. One letter writer talked about the family’s need for a computer during this difficult eLearning situation. “A computer is necessary for life today,” Monti said without hesitation. “I just made sure they have one.” The Monti family’s long kitchen table and kitchen floor was filled with gifts. “It looks like an Amazon warehouse,” he said recently. “Children will receive their letters, and then be given instructions on how to pick up their early Christmas gift from Santa.” When Langton heard about the way the plan had changed, he couldn’t believe it, he said. “But I love the way he is making a difference in people’s lives.” Langton sponsored the wrapping. “I’ll bring over the wrapping paper and bags and we will be working to get these together ahead of Christmas,” he said, beaming with excitement. “This was all Cam’s idea. I’m just grateful that he asked me to be a part of it.” Monti’s wife, Roxanne said that she supports her husband wholeheartedly. While she helps where she can, she acknowledged, “This is his thing.” “We need more people like him
– people who take risks and have ideas that they just start,” she said. “I think he loves Christmas so much because it reminds him of a time when life was enjoyable and nice and happy. There were good feelings about Christmas time. I think he just wants other people to feel the same.”
Christmas spirit rubs off
Monti’s love for Christmas inspired Langton – who was usually more focused on moving snow than decorating for Christmas – to deck the halls just like Monti. “I have Christmas lights up for the first time – and I enjoyed it,” Langton said. “I’m so thankful that we are neighbors, and I’m honored that he asked me to help sponsor this, and that he brought me along for this ride. He’s inspired me in so many ways. … We’ve become such great friends – his Christmas spirit has rubbed off on me.” And for Monti, that is what this undertaking is all about. “I’ve been blessed in my life,” Monti said. “This has been a crazy year. I’ve worked hard, and I’ve always been charity-minded. … I hope that this kind of has a snowball effect. I hope these letter recipients, after they grow up and are successful, think back and remember this moment, and be inspired – maybe they will do something similar. Maybe they will keep some of this Christmas joy.”
NEWS
Dec. 23-29, 2020
THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT
4
OBITUARIES
Robert Alan Piquette, 91
Robert Alan Piquette, 91, of Woodstock, passed away in his home on Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020, with his wife and children by his side. Rob was born in Waukegan, Ill., on Oct. 19, 1929. He was the eldest child of Lionel “Mike” Piquette and Ruth (Hartmann) Piquette. Rob served in the United States Army Robert Alan in Germany from Piquette 1951-1953. He married the love of his life, Marion Barens, in 1951, and together they raised seven children. As a teacher and principal in Woodstock for over 30 years, Rob knew the names of every student and parent and greeted his students daily at the school’s doors. He was a fast pitch softball player until the age of 61 and played bass in church and in numerous bands.
PUBLIC SAFETY LOG Woodstock Police Department
■ Patrick R. Hooper, 26, Harvard, was arrested Nov. 26 at Washington Street and Lamb Road on charges of improper lane usage, driving under the influence, and driving under the influence with blood-alcohol over 0.08 percent. Released after posting 10 percent of $1,000 bond and surrendering driver’s license. Court date Jan. 7. ■ Angel E. Barrientos-Panchame, 20, Arlington Heights, was arrested Nov. 29 at U.S. 14 and Rose Farm Road on charges of speeding, no valid driver’s license, and possession of cannabis by driver. Bond $2,500. Released on personal recognizance. Court date Jan. 7. ■ Male juvenile, 15, Woodstock, was arrested Nov. 30 at U.S. 14 and Washington Street on charges of disregarding a stop sign and no valid driver’s license. Bond $2,500. Released on personal recognizance. Court date Jan. 7. ■ John W. Mann II, 53, Elgin, was arrested Nov. 30 at McConnell Road and Harrow Gate Drive on charges of improper lane usage, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under the influence, driving while license suspended, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Taken to jail. Bond and court date to be set. ■ Jimmy D. Phillips, 57, transient, was arrested Dec. 2 in the 2000 block of Willow Brooke Drive on a McHenry County warrant charging failure to appear. Released on personal recognizance with notice to appear. Court date
Rob spent a good portion of his life in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, which he described as the most beautiful place on Earth. He loved picking wild thimbleberries and eating Marion’s homemade pastries. When he was not Up North, Rob could be found working on a project in his woodshop, practicing a tune on his harmonica, or planning his next hunting trip. He was a man of faith and attended Mass every week. Rob was an avid reader, woodworker, hunter, musician, cribbage player, Packers fan, and the best husband, father, and friend in the world. Rob is survived by his wife, Marion; his brothers, Jay and Jim; his children, Cheryl, Mike, Jed, Tito, Nicholas, Terry, and Laurie; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved them all. The family will hold a private celebration of Rob’s life at his home. A funeral Mass will be held at a later date at St. Mary’s Church in Woodstock. To share a memory or condolence please visit honquestfh. com.
Dec. 31. ■ Jacqulyn M. Maura, 28, Woodstock, was arrested Dec. 2 at Eastwood and Southview drives on charges of driving with electronic communications device and driving while license suspended. Bond $2,500. Released on personal recognizance. Court date Jan. 7. ■ Thomas J. Pappas, 31, Woodstock, was arrested Dec. 3 in the 2000 block of Lake Avenue on charges of improper lane usage, driving under the influence, and driving under the influence with blood-alcohol over 0.08 percent. Released after posting 10 percent of $1,000 bond and surrendering driver’s license. Court date Jan. 22. ■ John F. Gonzalez, 39, Woodstock, was arrested Dec. 3 in the 700 block of East Calhoun Street on two counts of domestic battery. Taken to jail. Bond and court date to be set.
McHenry County Sheriff’s Office
■ Peter J. Fallaw, 45, Woodstock, was arrested Dec. 8 on a charge of disorderly conduct. ■ Branden A. Dean, 26, Wonder Lake, was arrested Dec. 11 on charges of drug-induced homicide and possession of methamphetamine. ■ Kevin J. Loomis, 38, Woodstock, was arrested Dec. 12 on a charge of aiding/abetting/possession/sale of stolen vehicle. Charges are only accusations of crimes, and defendants are presumed innocent until proved guilty.
Stanley ‘Royal’ Smart Jr., 92
Born: Dec. 1, 1928, in Missoula, Mont. Died: Dec. 5, 2020, in Crystal Lake, Ill. “Royal,” as he was known by all, was raised in Missoula, Mont., the eldest of five boys. He attended Park College near Kansas City, Mo., where he met the love of his life, Aileen. They moved to Chicago, where he became a Stanley ‘Royal’ teacher. Smart Jr. After earning his master’s degree from DePaul University, he then became a principal in the Chicago Public Schools. He had a great heart for inner-city children. The family made their home in Palatine, Ill. He was a great example of love and devotion as he cared for Aileen when she became ill with Alzheimer’s disease. He is survived by three of his brothers, Jim Smart, Doug (Dixie) Smart, and Ted
Woodstock Fire/Rescue District EMS calls for Dec. 10-16: 52 Fire Runs Dec.10
6:12 a.m. – 8:36 a.m. – 9200 block of High Meadow Lane, carbon monoxide detector activation, no CO; truck Dec.11
7:27 a.m. – 16400 block of Garden Valley Road, steam/vapor/fog/dust thought to be smoke; engine, shift commander, tender 8:41 a.m. – 1600 block of Bull Valley Road, prescribed fire; shift commander 7:29 p.m. – 3200 block of Lily Pond Road, traffic accident with no injuries; shift commander, ambulance 11:20 p.m. – 100 block of Van Buren Street, lockout; truck Dec.12
6:19 p.m. – U.S. 14 and Washington Street, traffic accident with injuries; truck, shift commander, ambulance 8:54 p.m. – 9800 Country Club Road, traffic accident with no injuries; truck, ambulance, shift commander 10:34 p.m. – 9200 block of Conestoga Trail, Marengo, assist police or other agency; engine Dec.13
9:43 p.m. – 600 block of Leah Lane, lockout; truck Dec.14
11:51 a.m. – 1900 block of Sheila Street, unintentional smoke detector activation, no fire; shift commander, engine, truck, ambulance 5:49 p.m. – 1000 block of Clay Street,
(LeaAnne) Smart; his three children, Alan (Ladonna) Smart, Nancy (Chuck) Cain, and Sharon (Jim) McGregor’ seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. He was an avid tennis player and table tennis player. He competed in many Senior Olympic games across five states and received many medals. He loved spending summers at the family cabin on Flathead Lake in Montana, swimming, playing cards, singing around the campfire, and enjoying his family. He had a beautiful tenor voice and sang in the choir at church. His birthday card ministry touched many lives. Most of all, he was a man of great faith. His commitment to God, his family, and the church was evident in all that he did. A Celebration of Life service will be planned at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the First United Methodist Church of Crystal Lake, Ill. Send obituaries to pr@thewoodstockindependent.com.
malfunctioning smoke detector activation; truck Dec.15
3:45 a.m. – 700 block of St. John’s Road, malfunctioning CO detector activation; engine 5:44 a.m. – 500 block of West Kimball Street, carbon monoxide detector activation, no CO; engine Dec.16
8:07 p.m. – 600 block of Dean Street, Street, carbon monoxide detector activation, no CO; engine 8:22 p.m. – 400 block of North Madison Street, gas leak (natural or LP); truck
5
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Dec. 23-29, 2020
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OPINION
Dec. 23-29, 2020
THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT
6
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
‘A visit from St. Nicholas’: Happy Christmas to All By Clement Clarke Moore
’Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse; The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there; The children were nestled all snug in their beds; While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads; And mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap, Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap, When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter. Away to the window I flew like a flash, Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash. The moon on the breast of the newfallen snow, Gave a luster of midday to objects below, When what to my wondering eyes did appear, But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny
reindeer, With a little old driver so lively and quick, I knew in a moment he must be St. Nick. More rapid than eagles his coursers they came, And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name: “Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now Prancer and Vixen! On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen! To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!” As leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky; So up to the housetop the coursers they flew With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too— And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. As I drew in my head, and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
EDITORIAL CARTOON BY LUKE GOINS
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot; A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack. His eyes—how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry! His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow; The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath; He had a broad face and a little round belly That shook when he laughed, like a bowl full of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself; A wink of his eye and a twist of his head Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread; He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk, And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose; He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle, And away they all flew like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight— “Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night!”
Mandates and mask dates for holidays When you come to the end of a year like 2020 … wait – that’s a bad start to this column. There hasn’t been a year quite like 2020 before, has there? Nobody, even someone with 20/20 vision, could have foreseen the reality of 2020. If you’d told me a year ago that I’d only be commuting from January through mid-March and not returning to my cubicle in the Loop until April 2021 at the earliest(!), I’d have started looking for a hidden video camera or wondered how you slipped out of your straitjacket. But over nine months (so far) of living at, and doing my work from, our Woodstock condo is indeed what’s come to pass, and I consider myself extremely fortunate that I still have a full-time
job and that my wife and I are still generally healthy. As of this writing, more than 307,000 Americans have passed away from the coronavirus – that’s more than the number of U.S. Paul Lockwood battle deaths durA Musing ing World War II – and whether you personally know someone who died from it, you very likely know someone who’s tested positive for COVID19. If you watch national or local news, the death, positivity rate, and hospitalization numbers have been, well,
numbing. Yet many people still gather in groups, fail to keep social distancing, and go maskless. One result is that the McHenry County Department of Health says Woodstock alone has had over 2,100 coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic. For those who see the light at the end of this tunnel because of one or two different vaccines starting to be distributed, I see that light as well. But we know it’ll still be months before we get enough people vaccinated to get the coronavirus under control. So my plea, echoed by all health officials, is that in the meantime, we mask up, wash our hands, socially distance, and while we’re at it, try to get along. Consider the case of Dodge City,
Kan. Dodge City has a population of just over 27,000 people, a little bigger than Woodstock, but not much. In a city noted for its gunfights, the idea of requiring mask-wearing – encouraged by health experts but opposed by those who felt it impinged on their personal freedoms – was resisted for many months. As stated in a USA Today story, only after the pandemic’s second wave did their public officials pass a mask mandate in midNovember. By that time, more than one of every 10 county residents had been infected. The newspaper says its own analysis found “the weekly rates of newly reported cases are highest in rural counties and only slightly lower
Continued on Next page
have inspired more people to decorate their homes and businesses, especially with lights. If you haven’t taken a driving tour of Woodstock at night, treat yourself. Our community is a wonderland of lights. Though Jim and I will not be hosting family for Christmas this year, we bought a Frasier fir from the United Methodist lot. It’s a beautiful tree even without decorations. Please know, I did decorate it and topped it, as is our tradition, with a descending white dove. I also took great joy in filling just about every flat surface in the house with our more than 20 nativities. COVID didn’t stop those traditions. One Wormley tradition that isn’t happening this year is our annual family Christmas brunch after the Christmas cantata at First Presbyterian Church. There won’t be a cantata, and the lives of the 18 in our immediate family make gathering inside a risk we choose not to take. So Christmas 2020 will be different for us. We will gather outside around a fire pit instead of around the dining room table. We will eat ’smores instead of Christmas egg casserole and pecan rolls. We will give thanks, laugh, tell stories, exchange gifts, and delight in being together. That won’t be different. It will be the same.
Subscription rates/year $75 in Woodstock, Bull Valley and Wonder Lake. $77 in McHenry County. $82 for snowbirds and $90 outside McHenry County.
Corrections
We strive for accuracy. To suggest corrections or clarifications, email news@ thewoodstockindependent.com.
Staff
Cheryl Wormley
PUBLISHER
c.wormley@thewoodstockindependent.com
EDITOR
Larry Lough
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Sandy Kucharski
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Ken Farver
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P.S. Please turn to Page 28. The staff and I wish you hope, peace, love, and joy this holiday season and for the New Year. Merry Christmas!
CORRESPONDENTS
Cheryl Wormley is publisher of The Woodstock Independent. Her email address is c.wormley@thewoodstockindependent.com.
PROOFREADER
Tricia Carzoli, Janet Dovidio, Susan W. Murray, Megan Ivers, Lydia LaGue EDITORIAL CARTOONISTS
Jim Mansfield, Luke Goins Don Humbertson
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in other non-metropolitan communities.” Dodge City’s mayor knew the importance of masks and was quoted in USA Today with a positive statement about the mandate: “We just felt like we had to do something so everybody was aware of how important it was for everybody to be responsible for each other’s health and well-being.” You’d think that statement – about being responsible for each other’s health – would be like saying that seat belts save lives. An accepted fact, as in the idea that masks are helping us protect each other, so let’s wear masks. But no. Mayor Joyce Warshaw ended up resigning last week after she received phone and email threats from Dodge City residents, some of the emails now in the hands
of police to investigate. In a People magazine story, Warshaw said messages included “you’ll burn in hell” and “we’re coming for you.” There are many politicians who make decisions I don’t agree with, but how can a mandate that seeks to help people survive a health crisis spark such vitriol? President-elect Joe Biden has asked that all Americans wear masks for the first 100 days of his presidency. In a healthline.com article about how 100 days of mask-wearing could help us, Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, is quoted as saying, “If people in authority, people who are admired, model the appropriate behavior, I think we can slowly, slowly persuade people who have been reluctant or even disdainful of wearing masks to join the rest of us.”
The start of that 100-day period is Jan. 20, 2021, just four weeks from now. Christmas is in two days. If you’ve been a “reluctant” or “disdainful” person up until now, take a moment on Christmas – or any day this week, for that matter – to consider that a covered mouth and nose may be more valuable and lasting than any wrapped gift you could give. Heck, if you’re stocking up on masks, why not ask Santa to put some in your family’s stockings? It couldn’t hurt to mask. Paul Lockwood has been an enthusiastic singer, constant punster, frequent local theater actor, and past president of TownSquare Players. A senior sales operations specialist and technical lead for Vitality Group USA, Paul has lived in Woodstock since January 2001 with his wife, Diane.
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OPINION
what Christmas will be like for those who lost their loved ones. Likewise, it’s hard to imagine Christmas for people who live in nursing homes or Cheryl other residential Wormley care facilities and Declarations for their families and friends. This year, visiting in person on Christmas Day is not an option. It would take more than the space I am given for Declarations to even begin to express gratitude for all who have put their lives on the line to care for and serve others – medical personnel, hospital workers, first responders, nursing home workers, grocery store personnel, mail carriers, truckers, farmers, teachers, parents, and on and on. All I need do is look in my refrigerator, read newspapers, or check my social media accounts to be reminded of the selflessness that abounds. Because of all of this, Christmas 2020 will be different, but being resilient and reverent people, we will continue some traditions. Christmas cards and letters are being sent and received – maybe more than before. Last week, I wanted to buy more Christmas cards. The card shelves were bare. Then, when I asked for Christmas or winter stamps at the post office, I was told they were sold out. I could have Earth Day, flags, or fruits and vegetables stamps. COVID-19 didn’t keep people from decorating. In fact, staying home because of the pandemic seems to
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Dec. 23-29, 2020
It’s two days before Christmas! Without a doubt, all of us will remember Christmas 2020. It will be etched in our memories because it will be different from the ones we’ve celebrated in the past. The COVID-19 cloud is determining what we will and won’t do. And, we all hope Christmas 2021 won’t have the same cautions and restraints. We can have hope for Christmas 2021 because just this week people began receiving vaccinations against COVID-19. When the vaccine will be available to folks like us isn’t known. What we do know is that it might be months, but our time will come. And if all goes well, there will be enough herd immunity by the fourth quarter of 2021 for parties, family gatherings, concerts, and plays. I am filled with gratitude for the scientists who developed the vaccine in 11 months, an amazingly short time. The Washington Post reported the shortest timeline previously was the mumps vaccine, which took four years. For those of us who grew up during the polio epidemic, we remember waiting a long time for a vaccine – seven years in fact, 1948 to 1955. The vaccine for HIV was 15 years in the making, 1991 to 2006, and the vaccine for chickenpox took 34 years, 1954 to 1988. Even as I find comfort and hope in the vaccine, I know the pandemic death rate in the United States this week is at its highest. I pray for those who are fighting the coronavirus, and my heart aches for the family and friends of the more than 307,000 men, women, and children who have died with or because of the virus since the onset in March. It’s hard to imagine
Woodstock
THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT
A Christmas like none other
The
I NDEPENDENT
8
Pet Week
THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT
SAVING JUST ONE PET WON’T CHANGE THE WORLD BUT, SURELY, THE WORLD WILL CHANGE FOR THAT ONE PET.
MIRANDA
“Otis”
2 1/2-year-old male
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Eleazar Miranda is a senior at Woodstock North High School. He is the son of Eric and Chita Miranda, Woodstock. “Eleazar is a creative student who asks great questions, is engaged in class discussions, enjoys learning about new topics and concepts, and strives to produce quality work. I’m proud to have Eleazar as a student,” said one of his teachers. Eleazar has achieved high honor roll and is a member of the National Honor Society and the National Thespian Society. He is a member of math team, band, and theater. Eleazar went to state with the math team. Outstide of school, he has done volunteer work through NHS and he actively volunteers at his church. When asked who inspires him, Eleazar said, “Besides my parents, I am motivated by the late Grant Imahara. Imahara’s knowledge of engineering and robotics, as well as his contributions to sci-fi movies and Mythbusters, motivate me to work hard so I can eventually reach his level.” When asked what makes him feel successful, Eleazar said, “I believe I am successful because all my hard work and effort I put into the things I do has paid off. Even if I’m not becoming the wealthiest or most famous person in the world, the fact that my efforts are paying off is how I am successful.” SPONSORED BY
To see this pet or others or to volunteer to help walk dogs, call the shelter at:
Meet Otis! This adorable boy is a hound mix available for adoption at Helping Paws Animal Shelter. Otis is a goofy guy with a kind heart. He is a big softy who loves getting lots of pets and cuddles from his human friends. His favorite pastime is playing with his stuffed toys and going on his daily walks. Otis is in search of his forever companion, so if you can offer this sweet boy a home full of love contact Helping Paws to set up a visit!
SPONSORED BY
Dec. 23-29, 2020
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Schools
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By Kevin Lyons DISTRICT 200
Kevin Lyons is communications director for Woodstock School District 200.
Belmont University names Theil to fall dean’s list COURTESY PHOTOS
Woodstock North High School students Jackson Granat and Meghan McCann display some of the posters created by members of the school’s National Honor Society for residents of the county’s Valley Hi Nursing Home.
Kaitlyn Theil of Woodstock qualified for the fall 2020 dean’s list at Belmont University in Nashville, Tenn. Eligibility is based on a minimum course load of 12 hours and a quality grade-point average of 3.5 with no grade below a C.
Two Woodstock students on St. Mary’s dean’s list Woodstock residents Mary Elsinger and Kaitlin McCann have been named to the dean’s list for the fall 2020 semester at St. Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Ind. To earn this honor, a student must achieve a GPA of at least 3.6 on a 4.0 scale.
Olivia Nystrom named to Olivet Nazarene dean’s list
Madison Czischki is surrounded by holiday-themed posters created for residents of Valley Hi.
Olivia Nystrom of Woodstock was named to the dean’s list at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais during the recently completed fall 2020 semester. To qualify for the dean’s list, a student must have been enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student and must have attained a semester GPA of 3.50 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
SCHOOLS
Service projects for National Honor Society chapters have been challenging during the COVID-19 pandemic, but one successful endeavor was to brighten spirits for nursing home residents during a difficult year. NHS members from Woodstock North High School decided to create holiday-themed posters for Valley Hi Nursing Home residents to bring a little cheer to their rooms since isolation has been their norm over the past 10 months. “Given that long-term care facilities have been hit hard and visitors are not welcome, the thought was to try to brighten their spirits,” said Patti Baltes, a WNHS science teacher and adviser for the school’s NHS. Valley Hi, like most residential facilities, has had to tighten restrictions to protect its elderly residents who are at risk of serious consequences from COVID-19 exposure and at times has not allowed visitors. Kyla Grismer, a senior and president of the Thunder NHS, said students put a lot of thought and work into the posters with the residents in mind. “We hoped that we could bring the holidays to them since they are limited with what they can do due to COVID-19,” she said. “The posters said anything from ‘Happy Holidays’ to ‘Merry Christmas’ and included drawings of holiday or Christmas décor.” Demonstration of service and leadership is among the requirements for the National Honor Society chapter, along with maintaining a 3.75 GPA. Grismer said NHS members received wonderful feedback from Valley Hi after the posters were delivered. “The residents loved the posters, and the staff asked if we could make more for other times of the year, too,” she said. “It was a very positive experience to be able to make the residents at Valley Hi happy this holiday season.”
Several local student are among scholarship recipients receiving financial awards for the 2020-21 academic year at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. They are: Woodstock – Nathan Berna, accounting, Chancellor Scholars; John Grischow, general business, General Merit Scholarship; Brittany MacInnes, psychology, Dr. Richard D. Kelley Psychology Scholarship; Zachary White, business, College of Business and Economics Department Fund Wonder Lake – Carina Lopez Quintero, journalism, George Hafer Scholarship; Justin Wesolek, political science, Chancellor Scholars; WSG Education Payment
Dec. 23-29, 2020
Woodstock North students create holiday cheer posters
UW-Whitewater awards scholarships to six locals
THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT
Students show joy at Valley Hi
COLLEGE CURRENTS
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Dec. 23-29, 2020
THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT
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November 27, 2020 to December 31, 2020
Earn $20 cash back Enter to win & share cash prizes Support small independent retailers in Woodstock Submit qualifying reciepts, dated 11/27 through 12/31 totalling $200, to the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce and receive $20 cash back plus a raffle entry for cash prizes to share 50/50 with your favorite Woodstock retailer.*
Prizes: $2,000, $1,000 and $500 *Restrictions apply. See rules & eligibility at www.woodstockilchamber.com.
PICTURE THIS
Jimmy Dierzen is shown playing with new toys on Christmas. Note the Merry Christmas cake in the center of the toys and his stocking on the peddle car in this 1950s photograph. Jimmy is the son of Verda Dierzen, the namesake of Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center in Woodstock.
Don Peasley Photo Collection, McHenry County Historical Society
Tickets are now available for The McHenry County Historical Society’s Heritage Quilters Raffle Quilt, “Fit to be Tied.” The new quilt is a bow-tie pattern made from reproduction 1930s pastel prints. Drawing will be held on Feb. 1, 2021. Tickets are $1 each or six for $5 and can be purchased at www.mchenrycountyhistory.org.
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Staff Report
NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
Dawn Blatner award,” WFAA President Mary Ellen Prindiville said in the release. “While COVID restrictions have disrupted our programs and our fundraising, we will continue with the current Creative Living season, temporarily reimagined as online Zoom webinars.” The first virtual program in the new year will be Jan. 21 when nutritionist Dawn Jackson Blatner will present “Simple Swaps,” laying out
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a plan for improving your favorite dishes with better-for-you ingredients. Other 2021 Creative Living webinars are scheduled for: Feb. 18: “Muhammad Ali: A Life” – Biographer Jonathan Eig will take the audience to the heart of the boxing legend’s colorful, incredible life. March 18: “Celebrating Jazz” – Professor Anna Celenza will use film clips, photos, and recordings to
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
Because of some creative “reimagining” and a grant from the Community Foundation for McHenry County, the Creative Living series will go on in 2021. According to a news release, the foundation awarded a $9,120 grant for general operating expenses to the series’ sponsor, the Woodstock Fine Arts Association, to replace revenue lost because of COVID disruptions of its 57th annual programming. “We are grateful to the Community Foundation for this substantial
explore the power of America’s greatest original art form April 15: “A Grand Tour of Italy” – Through art, music, film, and literature, Professor Joseph Luzzi will delve into what is behind the country’s enduring appeal. All programs will begin at 10 a.m. Tickets cost $20 for each program and may be purchased at bit. ly/WFAACreativeLiving. Technical information on how to access the program from a computer, smart phone, or tablet will be provided with each e-ticket. “WFAA hopes to once again welcome series’ patrons back to the Woodstock Opera House auditorium in October 2021,” Prindiville said. “Meanwhile, we will also continue our long history of awarding scholarships to graduating high school seniors who live in McHenry County and are accomplished in the arts.”
Dec. 23-29, 2020
Fine Arts Association plans four programs to run through April
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Grant to help Creative Living series go on
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Dec. 23-29, 2020
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Marketplace
REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS
Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office Oct. 6 to 7 . ■ Residence at 2134 Greenview Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Adam M. Danowski, Lake In The Hills, to Carlos J. Vargas, Woodstock, for $264,000. ■ Residence at 1312 Redtail Lane, Woodstock, was sold by D.R. Horton, Inc. - Midwest, Vernon Hills, to Anna Glinski, Woodstock, for $239,990. ■ Residence at 2394 Linden Drive, Woodstock, was sold by GDK Enterprises LLC, Woodstock, to U & R Real Estate, Inc., Woodstock, for $102,500. ■ Residence at 1470 White Oak Lane, Woodstock, was sold by The John F. Human Living Trust, Islamorada, Fla., to The Kise Family Trust, Woodstock, for $260,000. ■. Residence at 2288 Preswick Lane, Woodstock, was sold by D.R. Horton, Inc. - Midwest, Vernon Hills, to Christina L. Betz, Woodstock, for $295,953. ■ Residence at 1029 Tappan St., Woodstock, was sold by Hometown Ltd., Woodstock, to Juan Garcia, Woodstock, for $159,900. ■ Residence at 2569 Verdi St., Woodstock, was sold by Maples At The Sonatas LLC New Lenox, to Dennis C. and Christine C. Damon, Woodstock, for $266,990. ■ Residence at 800 Twelve Oaks Pkwy., Woodstock, was sold by Stacy Lee Barden 2013 Declaration of Trust, Crivitz, Wis. to The Marjorie Kersten Trust Under Trust, Woodstock, for $166,000. ■ Residence at 10703 Allendale Road, Woodstock, was sold by Marlene A. Rader Living Trust, Concord, N.C., to Jack I. Blanton Jr. and Stacey Blanton, Woodstock, for $450,000.
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Fewer Fidos in Santa’s sack
And Fluffys are hard to find this year in local animal shelters By Susan W. Murray
NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
Note to readers: For this story, the dog breeders interviewed asked for identification by first name only. In one case, the name is a pseudonym. Close your eyes and picture a stocking nailed to the fireplace mantel. Peeping soulfully over the stocking hem is a beagle pup, an ear flopped over either side. You can sense, if not see, the children who have come into the room, poised to rush over to lift out the squirming ball of fur. That iconic Christmas illustration from greeting cards and holiday advertisements carries a perennial appeal, even if it was never realistic. And this year, Santa has been hardpressed to find a puppy for anyone’s stocking. A side effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been the near-emptying of animal shelters. Some breeders who take deposits and reservations for future litters have their waitlists filled two to three years out.
Desire for companionship
People working from home and anticipating that situation will continue indefinitely now have time to devote to pet training, said Donna Matejka, the CEO of Helping Paws Animal Shelter on Harding Lane. “Everybody is recognizing how much they love their pets,” she said, “and how much love they get in return.” The nine months of the COVID pandemic have been “like a pre-Christmas” at the no-kill shelter, Matejka said Helping Paws normally takes in dogs from Southern states where spaying and neutering are not as common as in northern Illinois and where dogs survive and procreate in the mild winters. Now, Matejka said, people in southern states are going to shelters and adopting dogs in numbers not seen before. One week before Christmas, Helping Paws had just five dogs listed as
INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER
Bella, a resident of Helping Paws Animal Shelter in Woodstock, shows what a good girl she can be under a Christmas tree. Shelters report a shortage of animals available to adopt. available for adoption on its website. If anything, the demand for puppies from breeders is even bigger. Families sometimes prefer to adopt from a breeder so the puppy’s behavior can be molded to be compatible with little children. And people with allergies want the assurance of getting a hypoallergenic dog, such as a goldendoodle. “It’s insane. We’ve never, ever seen anything like this,” said Jean, who has run Dream Golden, a small golden retriever breeding operation, in Woodstock for the past 13 years. For Jean’s last litter of puppies that went home in June, she had 75 messages within three seconds of her posting about the upcoming litter. She has fielded more than 500 inquiries in
the past two months and has stopped answering the phone because the conversations are heartbreaking. Bull Valley Labradoodles’ owners Linda and Denise had all 11 of their dogs’ litters during the past year placed before birth, with back-up deposits accepted in case an adoption fell through. “We have a pretty large reservation list for spring,” Denise said. “The good that’s coming out of it is that the shelters have largely been cleared,” Jean said. “Unfortunately, some people are taking advantage of the situation.” She has heard stories of people losing deposits on dogs that don’t exist. “Backyard breeders,” she said, turn Continued on NEXT page
Switch in tactics
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out multiple litters of puppies to make money, with little to no regard for the dogs’ health or temperament. “Puppies have to be raised and socialized well,” Jean said. Denise agrees. If an adoption doesn’t work out with a Bull Valley Labradoodle, the dog’s microchip lists the breeders’ information so the dog can be returned for rehoming – something that’s happened once in the past 11 years. “We don’t want to add to the shelter population,” Denise said.
Historically, Helping Paws has had so many long-term resident cats that their care has been subsidized by donors who each adopt one cat that lives in the shelter. But this year, the organization reduced its long-term cat population from 25 to four. Now, Helping Paws asks donors to buy a “Second Chance Ticket.” The donation is in the amount that it takes to bring a puppy or litter of puppies from the South, provide their medical care, and get them ready for adoption. Shelter directors and breeders stressed the importance of considering the family’s long-term living situation and a pet’s long-term needs when adopting. “Some people have never had a puppy or haven’t had one in a while,” Matejka said. “They forget how much work puppies are.” People need to train their puppies to be alone so they won’t have separation anxiety when everyone returns to work and school, Denise said. If a family will be gone all day, is there someone who can walk the dog, or can the dog go to daycare? But if someone or a family is willing to put in the time and take on the responsibility, “pets can bring such joy and happiness,” Kemper said.
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Senior pets available
COURTESY PHOTOS
Young at Heart is a shelter for older adoptive pets, like (clockwise from upper left) Cashmere, 11; Rocky Road, 15; and Salsa, 9.
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Woodstock’s Young at Heart on Route 47 “didn’t have quite the run that other organizations did,” executive director Dawn Kemper said. Young at Heart finds homes for dogs and cats that are 7 years old and up. Senior citizens often make good adoptive parents for those pets because, in normal circumstances, they spend more time at home than families do and the household moves at a slower pace. That said, Kemper noted, “We have some dogs and cats here who would do wonderfully with families.” Kemper said she would love to find homes for Young at Heart’s cats that range in age from 7 to 20.
Dec. 23-29, 2020
Continwued from PREVIOUS page
HOLIDAY MEMORIAL
IN BRIEF
MARKETPLACE
outdoors. Also, Board Chairman Mike Buehler, in his capacity as county liquor commissioner, will grant businesses with Class A liquor licenses for on-premises serving a waiver of their renewal fees, providing they meet certain conditions. The vote extended a moratorium the County Board granted in June to suspend portions of some county regulations until state restrictions are lifted enough to allow at least 75 percent indoor seating. The new extension takes the enforcement moratorium to June 30 or the resumption of a minimum 75 percent seating, whichever comes first. Also, McHenry County is administering two grant programs to help small business cope with impacts of COVID-19. n The Small Business Transformation Grant gives qualifying businesses grants of between $15,000 and $50,000 to help them transform their business model or shift operations toward profitability in response to the hardships of the pandemic. n The Immediate Business Relief Grant Program offers $15,000 grants to small businesses in the accommodations, food service, arts, entertainment, and recreation sectors. The deadline to apply for both grants is Thursday, Dec. 31.
2021 calendar available for free at Copy Express Copy Express Inc. is again offering its free 2021 wall calendar featuring vintage photographs of Woodstock. Calendars are available at Copy Express, 301 E. Calhoun St., and at the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry office, 127 E. Calhoun St. One calendar per customer is free, with additional copies available for $5 each while supplies last. Copy Express, which has been in business in Woodstock since 1975, has produced the promotional calendars each year for the past 39 years.
Dec. 23-29, 2020
THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT
14
County actions offer help to businesses in pandemic
INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY TRICIA CARZOLI
U.S. Army veteran Anthony Diller salutes the gravesite of Korean War veteran William Botts as Botts’ widow, Marlene, looks on Saturday at McHenry County Memorial Park The cemetery, along with Crystal Lake Boy Scout Pack 194 and the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Club, laid wreaths through the national Wreaths Across America organization on the gravesites of local veterans. Botts was a Woodstock High School graduate, as is Marlene.
Certain McHenry County ordinances have been suspended and liquor license renewal fees waived to help bars and restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. At its meeting last week, the County Board extended its moratorium on enforcing ordinances regulating or restricting serving food and alcohol
June 10-16, 2020
Woodstock Woodstock Woodstock
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SUMMER’S START
20 students in District 200 receive 2020 PRIDE awards
PHOTO BY KEN
FARVER
had been for a Saturday as it 6 t, was as busy OpiniOn use of coronavirus of Cass Stree time this season. Beca 4 Obituaries 9 by this photo rounds. It will nced the first schOOls nry County 6Fairg stock, as evide return the Square for OpiniOn et a&e ed to at11its winter home at the McHe Downtown Wood Farmers Mark et had d ay and Saturday. the staye Tuesd when each while 8 schOOls open 13 producers mark uleaceof being Marketpl concerns, the normal summer sched 11 a&e 19 cOMMunity now resume the
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INDEX
BUSY MORNING
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COMMUNITY
Woodstock prepares for more activity under Phase 4
NEW CONSTRUCTION HOMES
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Community
15
Half of women in Turning Point support groups still live with abuser By Susan W. Murray
Woodstock Police Chief John Lieb said that “things got quiet” regarding domestic violence at the beginning of the shelter-inplace order that went into effect on March 21. Later in the spring, his officers responded to “a lot of domestics” that he said were directly related to “having a lot of people under the same roof.” The number of domestic calls decreased during the summer as the lockdown eased, businesses opened up, people went back to work, and it was easier to go outside, Lieb said. But over the past couple of months, Lieb has seen an uptick in domestic calls. “The number-one thing couples argue about is finances,” Lieb said, “and finances might be tight or gone.” Looking at the first 11 months of 2020, compared to 2019, Cary Police Chief Patrick Finlon reported an 8 percent increase in domestic batteries and an
INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY SUSAN W. MURRAY
Elissa Crowley works on prevention and education at Turning Point, a domestic violence shelter in Woodstock. The clothespins on the wall behind her hold thank you notes. 18 percent increase in domestic disputes to which his officers responded. The Cary Police Department has an advocate from Turning Point come out once a week to assist with domestic violence situations. Cary also shares a social worker with the Huntley Police Department who is in Cary one or two days a week in an effort “to try to get to the root
cause [of domestic violence],” Finlon said. “People are home now; there’s a reduced level of tolerance,” the chief said. “They’re chafing against the restrictions on what they can do.”
Varied factors affect reporting For McHenry County, Sheriff Bill Prim said, the number of
How you can help
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Turning Point suffered through the cancellation of several events that raise funds for the shelter and its programs: the April auction and dinner, the fall breakfast, and the Christmas luncheon. Executive Director Jane Farmer estimated the loss at $60,000, a number likely to rise to $100,000 if, as Farmer anticipates, the April 2021 auction and dinner must be canceled.
In addition, representatives of Turning Point could not go to grocery stores to collect donations of items from shoppers this summer. “Anything a person needs in her house, we need here,” Farmer said. Farmer said Turning Point could use paper towels, toilet paper, tall kitchen trash bags, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, cookies, decaf and regular coffee, and coffee creamer.
See VIOLENCE, Page 17
Local residents who would like to help with a donation may take items to Turning Point’s main door, at 11019 U.S. 14, between 9 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. Donors will be buzzed in the first door, where they may leave their items in the vestibule before exiting. “Anything the community can do is wonderful,” Farmer said.
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domestic-related calls declined somewhat in 2020 from the same period of Jan. 1 to Oct. 31 of 2019. Last year, the sheriff’s department responded to 629 calls during that period, while the number was 606 at the end of October this year. State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally said that as of Nov. 24, his department had handled 387 domestic battery cases involving bodily harm. But last year, Kenneally’s office handled 22 percent more domestic battery-with-bodily-harm cases – 499 by Nov. 24, 2019. “There are so many different factors that contribute to domestic battery and to its being reported,” Kenneally said. If the numbers are viewed in a positive light, Kenneally said, a significant share of domestic violence is alcohol-related, and “fewer people are in bars and out to dinner.” Similarly, fewer family gatherings might mean fewer arguments. And with fewer people out and about, “suspicion of infidelity is not as prevalent,” Kenneally said. But Kenneally senses the same dark reasons for fewer calls and cases as Jane Farmer, executive director of Turning Point, a domestic violence shelter in Woodstock. A friend is not around to “see physical evidence [of abuse],” Kenneally said, and the victim is “afraid to call the police and afraid to go to the emergency room.”
Dec. 23-29, 2020
Fear in reporting abuse
THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN A PANDEMIC: SECOND OF A TWO-PART SERIES
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Similarly, with children not in school, teachers and friends can’t see or report the signs of abuse.
NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
Help limited in some ways
Parishioners at St. Mary Catholic Church in Woodstock attend an Our Lady of Guadalupe service, a tradition that observes a series of five Virgin Mary apparitions in Mexico in December 1531. The church held two services Dec. 12, the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. sixth-grade religion teacher Diane Loy rehearsed the script with the students. The re-enactment took place at Mass in St. Mary church. Parents of students had to register to attend as there was a limited number of seats, because of COVID-19 requirements. Masks were worn at all times. The play was live-streamed to the classrooms and had a link for those
unable to attend. “I really enjoyed doing this project,“ Loy said. “This is a wonderful way to celebrate the holidays and honor the Blessed Virgin. Viewing the re-creation restores anyone’s belief in the possibility of miracles.” Wodek observed, “This always comes together so beautifully and has become one of the favorite St. Mary school traditions.”
CHRISTMAS IS COMING
INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER
Pete Michling loads potatoes for one of the dozens of Christmas Clearing House volunteers who delivered about 1,100 bags of food and gifts Saturday as part of the annual Woodstock Rotary Club holiday project.
Assistance available 24/7
Farmer said she wants people to know that Turning Point operates like the police department or the fire department. “Victims can call Turning Point at 815-338-8081, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 366 days a year,” Farmer said. “During the day, they can show up at the door at 11019 U.S. 14.” And while business at the McHenry County courthouse is limited, emergency orders of protection, stalking no-contact orders, and civil no-contact orders may be filed with the Court between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on days when the Judicial Center is open for business. People seeking those orders may contact Turning Point of McHenry County at 815-3344624, and representatives will assist with completing the petition, aid in electronically filing the documents, and provide direction on how to access a judge remotely when the Judicial Center is open for business.
COMMUNITY
INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER
“The schools are doing the best they can,” said Farmer, who knows the frustration that comes with constraints on helping victims – both because victims have lost visibility in the community and because in-person assistance is limited. A significant portion of Turning Point’s services was in hosting support groups. Fifty percent of the women who came to those meetings were still with the abuser, Farmer said. In November, the agency started its first support group via Zoom. “That will be of some help,” Farmer added. But children’s groups are not meeting, and the childcare that Turning Point provided during victims’ support groups is gone. “At least it was one time a week that she didn’t have to take care of her kids,” Farmer said.
Dec. 23-29, 2020
During this period of pandemic restrictions, sixth-grade students at St. Mary Catholic School were still able to present their annual reenactment of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe on Dec. 11, the day before the actual feast day. This presentation was created six years ago by assistant principal Hillary Russell after a request from the Rev. Burt Absalon, pastor of the parish. She also wrote the script. “Our students look forward to this re-enactment and take pride in their presentation,” said Emma Wodek, sixth-grade homeroom teacher. The students portrayed the story of the appearance of the Blessed Mother Mary in a vision to 50-yearold Native American peasant Juan Diego in 1531. Our Lady of Guadalupe is a symbol of devotion and patriotism, especially for Mexicans. Because St. Mary students attend school in-person, they were able to practice during school hours. Several parts were eliminated from the script to allow for minimal contact between students. The actors wore face masks while practicing. Emily Merryman played the part of Our Lady, while Nico Zecchin was Juan Diego. Religious education coordinator Claire Narusis provided the costumes. She also was director and set coordinator. Wodek and
Continued from Page 15
17 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT
Students observe Our Lady of Guadalupe
VIOLENCE
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COMMUNITY
Dec. 23-29, 2020
THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT
18
INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER
The city’s inaugural Holiday Lights Contest encouraged community members to brighten up their neighborhoods for the chance at a cash prize. The Baier family, 1241 Amber Court, earned grand prize honors with their entry titled “There’s Snowflake Like Home.” Second place honors went to the Sofie Family (right), 631 Hickman Lane. A map of all entries is available at woodstockilchamber.com .
ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH
IN BRIEF Girl Scouts kick off 2021 cookie sales into January Online sales of Girl Scouts cookie sales is underway, with girls taking electronic orders. Customers can order and pay for cookies online and have the cookies shipped directly to them (shipping charges apply), have a Girl Scout offer contactless deliveryto their door, or donate cookies (with no additional handling fees). New this year, Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois will offer a $5 discount on all direct ship orders of nine or more cookie packages placed by Dec. 23. People can contact Girl Scouts they know or email cookies4you@girlscoutsni.org to be connected. Local Girl Scouts will also take cookie orders safely in-person (and online) from Jan. 6 to 30. The cookie lineup features Thin Mints, caramel-y Samoas, peanut butter-stuffed Tagalongs, crunchy Dosi-dos, buttery Trefoils, S’mores, toffeechipped Toffee-tastics, and more. Cookies sell for $5 a package. Cookie earnings provide experiences for girls through Girl Scouts programming, while girls and their troops decide how to invest in impactful community projects, personal enrichment opportunities, and more.
Grace Lutheran Church Woodstock Longest Night
Monday, December 21st at 7:00pm (Livestream)
Christmas Eve Services 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
401 St. Johns Road • Woodstock, IL 60098 For everyone’s safety: 6 ft social distancing is practiced Temperatures will be taken upon entering the church Mask are mandatory (mask & gloves are available) Fogging and disinfecting is done prior to services for COVID safety
(815) 338-5159 • stjohnswoodstock.com
Christmas Worship Services Full Christmas Eve Service (Online)
Brief Parking Lot Services
(December 24th at 4:30 pm & 7:30 pm) Please check Grace Lutheran Church’s website for more information www.gracewoodstock.org
Grace Lutheran Church, ELCA 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road, Woodstock 815-338-0554 — www.gracewoodstock.org
PHOTO DETECTIVE
19 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT Dec. 23-29, 2020
COURTESY PHOTO
First Presbyterian Church of Woodstock
Join us virtually for Worship
December 20 9:30 am Virtual Christmas Program Christmas Eve Virtual Candlelight Service 4:00 pm
All services are available after posted times
COMMUNITY
Just before the demolition of the Die Cast factory, someone gathered photos from the office so they would not be destroyed. They now have a safe home in an album at the Woodstock Public Library. This photo, labeled “Office Staff at Christmas,” does not have a date, location, or names of the subjects. We love the Mid-Century Modern home vibe and are guessing from two ladies’ pointed collars and one’s puffy sleeves that the year might just be 1971. We believe the lady in the middle under the clock is none other than JoAnn Sieck and speculate that the photo might have been taken in the home of Earl and Lorraine Holm on Becking Street. Readers, can you help? If you have information about this photo or can help our intrepid Photo Detective Maggie Crane with identification of other Die Cast photos, please email Maggie at MaggieC@woodstockil. info. – Susan W. Murray
Dec. 23-29, 2020
THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT
20
Happenings
•••PLEASE CHECK WITH SPONSORS OR VENUES ABOUT CANCELLATIONS OR POSTPONEMENTS OF EVENTS•••
calendar
ONGOING
CHRISTMAS TREE WALK
Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. Through Dec. 23 Friday - Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. Monday - Thursday 5 to 8 p.m.
COMMUNITY
VISIT SANTA
Stage Left Café 124 Van Buren St. Through Dec. 23 Friday - Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. Monday - Thursday 5 to 7:30 p.m. Visit WoodstockOperaHouse.com for free timed tickets.
23 WEDN ESDAY
WOODSTOCK WEDNESDAY Woodstock Folk Festival Small Potatoes concert (virtual) 7 p.m. woodstockfolkfestival.org
24 THURSDAY CHRISTMAS EVE
Password 002896
25 FRIDAY CHRISTMAS DAY
31 THURSDAY NEW YEAR’S EVE JANUARY
1 FRIDAY NEW YEAR’S DAY
2 SATURDAY
WINTER MARKET AT THE FAIRGROUNDS McHenry County Fairgrounds Building D 11900 Country Club Road 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org
11 MONDAY PRIDE MEETING
VIRTUAL CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP
independence Health & Therapy 4-5 p.m. Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/99771 621377?pwd=aVk0UmpjUXBvSlB 0d1BqRGZXWkJPUT09 Zoom Meeting Meeting ID 997 7162 1377
Woodstock Chamber of Commerce 127 E. Calhoun St. 6 p.m.
COFFEE WITH THE CHIEF
Woodstock Police Department 656 Lake Ave. 7 p.m. 815-338-6787
12 TUESDAY
DISTRICT 200 SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION 7 p.m. Live-stream woodstockschools.org
16 SATURDAY
WINTER MARKET AT THE FAIRGROUNDS McHenry County Fairgrounds Building D 11900 Country Club Road 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org
19 TUESDAY
To submit calendar items, email pr@thewoodstockindependent.com woodstockschools.org
woodstockgroundhog.org
28 THURSDAY
GROUNDHOG DAY BINGO
WOODSTOCK FIRE/ RESCUE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING 7 p.m. wfrd.org
29 FRIDAY
WELCOMING OF THE GROUNDHOG
Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren 6 p.m. woodstockgroundhog.org
WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL GROUNDHOG TRIVIA 7 p.m. Onlline woodstockil.gov
21 THURSDAY
MURDER & MAYHEM BOOK CLUB Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 7 to 8 p.m. woodstockpubliclibrary.org
26 TUESDAY
DISTRICT 200 SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION 7 p.m. Live-stream
Woodstock Opera House 121 W. Van Buren 6:30 p.m. woodstockgroundhog.org
30 SATURDAY
WINTER MARKET AT THE FAIRGROUNDS McHenry County Fairgrounds Building D 11900 Country Club Road 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org
GROUNDHOG DAY BAGS TOURNAMENT Ortmann’s Red Iron Tavern 101 E. Church St. Noon
Woodstock Moose Lodge #1329 406 Clay St. 5:30 p.m. woodstockgroundhog.org
FEBRUARY
1 SATURDAY
WALKING TOUR OF FILMING SITES Meet at The Moose Clup 406 Clay St. 1:30 p.m. Tour will end a Cherry Tree Inn woodstockgroundhog.org
2 SUNDAY
GROUNDHOG PROGNOSTICATION
Woodstock Square 7 a.m. woodstockgroundhog.org
GROUNDHOG MOVIE DISPLAY
Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. woodstockgroundhog.org
WALKING TOUR OF FILMING SITES
Meet at Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. Noon Tour will end a Cherry Tree Inn woodstockgroundhog.org
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KNow what’s happening
IN WOODSTOCK EVERY WEEK! serving Woodstock for 32 years
Resurrection Catholic Church
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.
■ 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 Virtual worship: 9:30 a.m. Sunday ■ FIRST UNITED METHODIST 201 W. South St. • 815-338-3310 fumcwoodstock.org Worship: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Sunday school for children 9:45 a.m. ■ 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. 815-575-9224 goodnewswoodstock.org Worship: 10:15 a.m. Sunday ■ GRACE FELLOWSHIP 200 Cairns Court • gfchurch.org Worship: 9 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday ■ GRACE LUTHERAN 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road 815-338-0554 Worship: Videos on website each weekend; parking lot services at 9 a.m., listen on 89.3 FM ■ HOUSE OF BLESSING 2018 N. Route 47 (First Presbyterian Church building) cbhbfil413.com Worship: 1 p.m. Sunday ■ JEWISH REFORMED
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. n McHENRY COUNTY JEWISH CONGREGATION 8617 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake 815-455-1810 Worship: 7 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. Saturday n NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER 5115 Dean St. • 815-337-4673 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ RESURRECTION CATHOLIC 2918 S. Country Club Road 815-338-7330 Worship: 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday; 5 p.m. Saturday; 8:30 a.m. weekdays ■ ST. ANN’S EPISCOPAL 503 W. Jackson St. • 815-338-0950 Worship: 10 a.m. online ■ ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN 401 St. John’s Road • 815-338-5159 Worship: 9 a.m. Sunday ■ ST. MARY CATHOLIC 313 N. Tryon St. • 815-338-3377 Worship: Daily Mass, 12:30 p.m., no registration required. Weekend Mass schedule (registration required): Saturday, 4:30 p.m. (English), 6:30 p.m. (Spanish); Sunday, 8:30 a.m. (English), 10:30 a.m. (English), 12 :30 p.m. (Spanish); Candlelight Mass, 8:30 p.m., last Saturday of the month. Confession, Monday and Wednesday, 4 p.m. ■ 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: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ WOODSTOCK BIBLE CHURCH 118 Benton St. Worship: 10:30 a..m. Sunday
■ Fifteen residents filed candidacy petitions for two Woodstock City Council seats up for election in the spring.
30 years ago – 1990 25 years ago – 1995
■ The community calendar sign on Route 47 was dedicated. The Noon Rotary Club was the primary funder of the sign; other contributors included three banks and local contractors. ■ Woodstock High School varsity wrestler Luke Kyle was named “Outstanding Wrestler” at the Harvard Tournament. The Blue Streaks had five champions in their respective weight classes: Jim Aberle, Luke Kyle, Matt Wormley, Corey Ungaro, and Matt Huebner. ■ Delta Records awarded its annual Silver Record for the year’s most outstanding recorded performance to the WHS choirs’ compact disc titled “Christmas.”
20 years ago – 2000
■ The City Council voted 3-2 to approve a special-use permit for the McHenry County Fair Association to hold a rodeo during the McHenry County Fair. ■ Eric Peterson, 11, finished second in the Pokémon Super Trainer Chicago Regionals and advanced the Pokémon World Championship in New Jersey, where he placed in the top 100 trainers.
15 years ago – 2005
■ The Woodstock Lions Club presented its Community Service and Citizen of the Year Award to Andy Hartlieb, Woodstock. ■ Laurie Crain, Woodstock, donated one of her kidneys to her uncle Tracy Hill, Cary. Hill had been diagnosed with end-stage renal disease. ■ Three sets of Woodstock-resident triplets in Christmas attire were the subjects of The Woodstock Independent’s front-page photo: 4-year-olds Katey, Jacob, and Benjamin Brucker; 3-yearolds Cameron, Calvin, and JT Wormley; and 2½-year-olds Jane, Peter, and Joseph Walsdorf.
10 years ago – 2010
■ Organizers of Christmas Clearing House said the holiday charity served 976 families and individuals within the D-200 boundaries. ■ End-of-the-year real estate statistics for the 60098 zip code showed a gradual decline in housing sales in 2010, after sharp decline the previous two
21 years.
5 years ago – 2015
■ Between 400 and 500 volunteers helped the organizers of Christmas Clearing House deliver food and gifts to 1,100 families and 210 senior citizens. Denise Graff Ponstein, chair of procurement for the project, said donations from Toys for Tots, businesses, and individuals provide gifts for the 2,000 children served. ■ Police Chief Robert Lowen announced he would retire. “It will be a sad day for the city of Woodstock and our residents when we say goodbye to Chief Lowen next spring,” City Manager Roscoe Stelford said. Lowen came to the Woodstock Police Department in 2005. ■ Fifth-graders from Mary Endres, Westwood, and St. Mary elementary schools celebrated their D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) graduations. Officer Mike Gustis, Woodstock Police D.A.R.E. officer for six years, conferred diplomas to the graduates: 80 from Mary Endres, 70 from Westwood, and 25 from St. Mary.
1 year ago – 2019
■ Outstanding math teacher, inspirational coach, and beloved principal Robert Hackbart was chosen by the Woodstock District 200 Education Foundation to receive the 2020 Sue Palmore Award for Excellence. As a principal, Hackbart was known for always making time for struggling students. “My philosophy is what is best for the student,” he said. “Every student is different.” Hackbart retired in 2016 after a 32-year career in D-200. ■ The city of Woodstock honored lifelong Woodstock resident John Widmayer for 50 years of service to youth sports and the community. Widmayer was a crew chief and referee for 50 years of high school football games, 40 years of basketball games, and 30 years umpiring girls softball games. “I have been blessed to be assigned to referee in 12 state finals: four in football, three in girls basketball, and five in girls softball. … I truly enjoy being around the young student athletes,” Widmayer said. ■ The Woodstock community donated funds, time, and gifts to Christmas Clearing House. About 1,400 families living in Woodstock and Wonder Lake received food, toys, books, and other gifts. The Rotary Club of Woodstock sponsored and organized the project.
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ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on DECEMBER 7, 2020 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 BRUNDOLPH RODS located at 9112 CAROL LANE, SPRING GROVE, IL 60081. Owner Name &
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STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY-IN PROBATE Case No. 20PR000347 In the Matter of the Estate of LYDIA K. CROSS Deceased CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of LYDIA K. CROSS Of: HARVARD, IL Letters of office were issued on: 12/9/20 Representative: NANCY SMITH 605 W. MCKINLEY ST. HARVARD, IL 60033 whose attorney is: WOLF, DAVID J., LAW OFFICE OF 244 N. THROOP ST. STE 100 WOODSTOCK, IL 60098 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 December 23, 2020)L11120
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ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on DECEMBER 10, 2020 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 JAG Real Estate located at 1710 S. Eastwood Dr., Woodstock, IL 60098. Owner Name & Address: Joshua Brown 1710 S. Eastwood Dr., Woodstock, IL 60098. Dated: DECEMBER 10, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 23, 2020)L11121
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Notice The audit report for the McHenry County Regional Office of Education # 44 for the year ending June 30, 2019 is available for inspection during regular business hours at the office of the Regional Superintendent, the Honorable Leslie Schermerhorn 2200 N. Seminary Avenue Woodstock, IL 60098. This notice is made in compliance with 105 ILCS 5/2-3.17a. (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 23, 2020)L11122
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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 Christine Marie Wollert Case No. 20MR001230 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Christine Marie Wollert to the new name of: Christmas Marie Wollert The court date will be held on March 4, 2021 at TBD at 2200 N. Seminary
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ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on DECEMBER 15, 2020 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 THE ECLECTIC CHAIR located at 14613 MANSION HEIGHTS DR., HARVARD, IL 60033. Owner Name & Address: DAYLE STOFFERAHN 14613 MANSION HEIGHTS DR., HARVARD, IL 60033. Dated: DECEMBER 15, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 23, 2020)L11124
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NOTICE OF CHANGE TO DBA ADDITION OF NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on DECEMBER 14, A.D. 2020, a Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of McHenry County, IL concerning the business known as WOODSTOCK DANCE ACADEMY located at 227 E. CALHOUN ST., WOODSTOCK, IL 60098 which certificate sets forth the following ADDITION OF NAME change in the DBA thereof: ENGLISH SWANSON, 22887 BURR OAK RD., HARVARD, IL 60033. Dated this 14TH day of DECEMBER, A.D., 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 23, 2020)L11125
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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 1/5/2021 at 9:30 AM. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents are household goods and furnishings. Brandon Rickert Unit #004; Louie Lopez Unit #177. 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 December 16, 2020, December 23, 2020)L11118
Address: TODD RADEK 9112 CAROL LANE, SPRING GROVE, IL 60081. Dated: DECEMBER 7, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 16, 2020, December 23, 2020)L11119
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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 LILY RAYNE BEAUTY BAR located at 103 E. JUDD ST., WOODSTOCK, IL 60098. Owner Name & Address: KYLIE SCHULEMANN 1 W. PADDOCK ST., CRYSTAL LAKE, IL 60014. Dated: DECEMBER 1, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 9, 2020, December 16, 2020, December 23, 2020) L11117
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STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS Probate Division Case No. 20PR000322 Estate of Carol S. Deering, Deceased ORDER ADMITTING WILL TO PROBATE AND APPOINTING REPRESENTATIVE On petition for admission to probate of the Will of the decedent and the issuance of Letters of Office, the Will having been proved as provided by law, IT IS ORDERED THAT: 1. The Will of Carol S. Deering dated April 20, 1995, be admitted to probate; 2. Letters of Office as independent co-executors issue to Connie Lynn Palmberg and Richard Deering upon approval of oath and bond without surety. 3. The representative in independent administration shall file annual reports; the first of which is due on or before 60 days after the expiration of the one-year anniversary of this Order and annually thereafter; 4. The representative in supervised administration shall file an inventory within 60 days; and shall file annual reports and accounts, the first of which is due on or before 60 days after the expiration of the one-year anniversary of this Order and annually thereafter. ENTER: Michael J. Chmiel, Judge 11/18/2020 Name: O’Donnell & Associates, Ltd. Attorney for co-executors 1515 E. Woodfield Rd., Ste. 112 Schaumburg, IL 60173 (847) 413-9500 /s/KATHERINE M KEEFE (Clerk of the Circuit Court) (Published in The Woodstock Independent December 9, 2020, December 16, 2020, December 23, 2020) L11114
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TIKTOK SCREENSHOT
Thunder girls varsity basketball players participate in a holiday-themed TikTok video. Pictured (from left) are seniors Colette Jones, Allison Goers, and Madison Czischki and junior Katelynn Ward.
Teams turn to TikTok to touch base WNHS sports teams get some play time through social media By Sandy Kucharski
SANDY@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM
High school sports teams throughout Woodstock might not be actively competing, but some still found a chance to play earlier this month when they took part in the Illinois High School Association’s Holiday TikTok Challenge. The Woodstock North High School girls basketball and dance teams were among 145 teams that put together videos and entered the challenge for a chance at a $250 cash prize for the team and an additional $250 donation to the team’s charity of choice. “We are all going through a hard time,” junior girls basketball player Avery Crabill said, “and we felt if we do small things, like the TikTok, it will be really fun.” The Thunder girls varsity team pulled together available players and beat the tight deadline to submit a video. Seven girls shot short videos of themselves at their
own homes, and Crabill edited and assembled the TikTok. “Everyone was so excited to see and do something together,” Crabill said. “We are trying to do more stuff together over the phone so we stay close. We are waiting patiently for the season to start.” The entire WNHS varsity squad, 12 athletes plus the coach, appeared in their TikTok. In place of a regular practice the girls brainstormed ideas for a fun, creative entry for the IHSA challenge. “We dropped what we had planned for practice that day and instead came up with the idea and then each individual girl shot their part that night,” said coach Jackie Janke. “The girls agreed that even if we don’t win the competition, it would be nice to send out a holiday message to the community. We did it to spread a little bit of holiday cheer, since we can’t all be together right now.” More than 50,000 votes were cast in the contest, with Andrew High School’s girls volleyball team coming up the winner. Check out the WNHS basketball and dance team videos at wnhsathletics.com. To see the winning video, visit ihsa.org.
Junior Kalei Jones
Junior Avery Crabill assembled the video for the team. Continued on next page
Sophomore Sophia Fa bian
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Woodstock North High School senior Luke Freeman worked very hard in the weight room during fall contact days, and he continues to work hard and become stronger on his own time during the off season. Luke has a 275-pound hang clean, a 200-pound push press, a 315-pound below parallel squat, a 235-pound bench press, and a 445-pound dead lift all for a total of 1,470 pounds. Besides working hard in the weight room, he is a very coachable athlete and more than willing to help his teammates. Luke follows the Thunder Way both on the field and off. Way to go Luke, Thunder Nation is proud of you!
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TIKTOK SCREENSHOT Continued from previous page The Woodstock North dance team also donned their Christmas gear and holiday cheer to share a distanced greeting. Pictured (starting at the top left) are Jackie Janke (coach), Hannah Johnson, and Hannah Torkelson; (second row) Claire Miranda, Kylie Boal, and Megan Kelahan; (third row) Maddie Manke, Erin Bigler, and Sam Neff; (bottom row) Lauren Howen, Geraldine Hernandez, Morgan Kennett and Emily Zepeda.
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Pam Burmeister and Shannon Bailey at Mattie & Myrt on the Square are “masked up” to help in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. The Independent wants you to join your neighbors by sending in a photo of members of your family, club, office, or other group wearing your masks. Please email it to woodstock4all@thewoodstockindependent.com. We’re all in this together, Woodstock.
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