Woodstock Independent 2/12/2020 by Woodstock Independent

The

Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT

Feb. 12-18, 2020

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

GROUNDHOG DAYS 2020

Film it and they will come ‘Groundhog Day’ inspires Woodstock pilgrimage. See Page 2.

A&E

Woodstock students display art at Old Courthouse gallery PAGE 14

SCHOOLS

Teamwork, positive play all part of robotics competition PAGE 11

SPORTS

Blue Streak joins her sister in basketball 1,000-point club PAGE 32

INDEX Obituaries

Opinion

Schools

A&E

Marketplace

Community

Calendar

Classified

Public Notices

Puzzles

Sports

The Woodstock Independent

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

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Local artist Luke Goins, who is assistant manager of Woodstock Classic Cinemas, shows off a quick sketch he did of Bill Murray that the actor signed, despite asking, “Does this look like me?” Murray signed the drawing “Not Exactly Bill Murray” when he was in town Jan. 25 to film a TV commercial for Jeep.

More Groundhog Days

n Groundhog Days festival means big business for Woodstock merchants. Page 15 n Setting up a TV commercial filming is no simple operation, our city found out. Page 18 n Germans honeymoon here. Page 20

Courthouse plan coming together By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Plans for new uses of the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House could be ready for City Council review next month. Even though occupancy by new tenants is probably still two years away, City Planner Darrell Moore told

council members last week that they should have more remodeling specifics to look at in March. Architect Gary Anderson of Rockford, who last month received a $410,000 contract to design interior renovation of the two buildings, agreed. “I think we can be looking at a lot of things in the next month,” Anderson said during a council workshop to

discuss the project. “This is the fun part coming up. I think it’s great.” As the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House Advisory Commission had last month, the council met with prospective tenants of the historic buildings on the Woodstock Square. Four proposals – from the Woodstock Public Library, Ethereal Confections, Public House

See COURTHOUSE, Page 2

NEWS

Feb. 12-18, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Woodstock recognizable to new visitors Cherry Tree Inn

Movie house, Moose, bed-and-breakfast are film favorite locations By Susan W. Murray

NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

A perennial Groundhog Days attraction is the walking tour, a pilgrimage to each of the filming sites on and around the Woodstock Square. For “Groundhog Day” aficionados, several sites are nearly sacred because of their importance in the beloved story. When it was a two-screen movie house, Woodstock Classic Cinemas had a starring role as the Alpine Theatre, where Phil Connors (Bill Murray), reveling in self-indulgence, shows up with a scantily-clad date. In real life, the theater’s main auditorium is named for the movie’s late director, Harold Ramis. Each year, Classic Cinemas hosts two free 10 a.m. showings of “Groundhog Day,” one on Saturday and one on Sunday. This year, movie patrons filled four of the eight theaters on Saturday and seven of the eight on Sunday, adding up to about 1,400 people for two days. Even though there’s no charge for a ticket, the theater does boffo box in concessions, even at that early hour. Assistant manager Luke Goins reported the theater sold $1,200 in popcorn, candy, and fountain drinks at the Saturday showing and $2,500 on Sunday.

The Moose Lodge

The bachelor auction and dance near the end of “Groundhog Day” were filmed at Woodstock’s Moose Lodge. Movie fans had several opportunities

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

New visitors to Groundhog Days exclaim “It’s the same floor!” when they go to the Woodstock Moose Lodge for any of several events hosted there during the four-day festival. The room with the red-patterned linoleum floor that dates to 1952 is recognizable as the site of the bachelor auction from the movie “Groundhog Day.” Here, chili lovers attend the festival’s annual chili cook-off. over the weekend’s festivities to visit the site. The Moose’s office manager, Peggy Plimmer, said that every fan’s reaction is the same when walking into the auditorium. “It’s the same floor!” they cry. The red-patterned linoleum, installed in 1952 and clearly visible below the dancers’ feet in the movie, remains unchanged. For Groundhog Days, the Moose hosted a dinner dance, the chili cookoff, and the official breakfast after the prognostication. “We fed an awful lot of people,” Plimmer said. On Friday night, the lodge fed 140 people roast beef and chicken before

COURTHOUSE Continued from Page 1

restaurant, and Milk House ice cream shop – were submitted by the Dec. 31 deadline with ideas about using some of the available space. The next step, Mayor Brian Sager said, was for each of the applicants to meet with the architect to discuss their needs and wishes. The city received multiple proposals for use of two areas of the Old Courthouse and one area of the Sheriff’s House. Council members had some requests for the planning. Sager said he would like planners “to create more outdoor space,” a popular

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY LARRY LOUGH

Some areas of the Old Courthouse are off-limits to visitors.

restaurant attraction in downtown Woodstock, “to enhance the exterior space.” He noted Moore had discussed a possible rooftop deck in the southwest corner of the Old Courthouse. Councilman Darrin Flynn said the discussions should “look at what we are missing” for Woodstock among the

the band Delta Rising took the stage. Eleven entrants vied for the top prize in Saturday’s chili cook-off. Attendees could sample each entry and vote for their favorite. “Everybody was walking around with little cups in their hands,” Plimmer said. “There was one point when you couldn’t get into the building, and you couldn’t get out of the building.” A sold-out crowd of 230 people attended the “official” breakfast after the prognostication on Sunday, warming up with bacon, sausage, eggs, pancakes, and hash browns. “We are so happy that we have been able to be part of ‘Groundhog Day,’” Plimmer said. proposals. Deputy Mayor Mike Turner said he wanted to be impressed with the plan. “I want to end up with a space and a function where everyone says, ‘Wow!’” Turner said. “I don’t want it to look like something cobbled together by a public entity.”

Looking at costs

About $3.5 million already has been spent on stabilizing the 19th century buildings and improving their exteriors. City officials expect the interior work will cost about $5 million, using a public bond, state and federal tax credits, and revenue from the city’s year-old tax increment financing district. Moore said the goal was to restore the interior to its 1930s appearance,

Perhaps no movie location is more beloved than the bed-and-breakfast where Phil Connors (Murray) wakes up each morning, only to find he is doomed to repeat Groundhog Day. It is there, after finally learning that happiness lies in loving and serving others, that he wakes up to tomorrow, with Rita (Andie MacDowell) at his side. When George and Lori Miarecki bought the house nearly three years ago, their first act was to remove the “No Trespassing” signs that had been placed around the property to shoo away tourists. Instead, the Miareckis encourage visitors, and this year they hosted the busiest tours to date. Lori had bought a clicker to keep track of how many people visited the house, but said she quickly fell behind when she was upstairs with one group while another came through the front door. While some who walked down Madison Street chose merely to take photos outside, Lori estimates that Cherry Tree Inn welcomed between 300 and 350 people on Saturday, with a additional 1,000 coming through on Sunday. Guests were served groundhog cookies and hot cider. The Miareckis accepted donations for the tours, which will be divided among Christmas Clearing House, Pioneer Center, Helping Paws, and Turning Point. Those lucky enough to get lodging for Groundhog Days paid a $100 premium, which will go into the donation pool for the four local charities. Competition for rooms over the four-day festival has become so fierce, with guests wanting to book two to three years out, that the Miareckis have decided to auction a full-house rental for next year. On the B&B’s Facebook page, Lori advised those interested to watch for updates and pricing “after I recover from all this!” which would involve moving walls and a staircase that will expose windows that have been blocked by building updates over the years. He also explained a proposed Throop Street entrance “would seem like a front door” that opens to a new lobby and an elevator. “Nothing’s been set in stone,” Moore told the council, saying the design process would look at “how to get the most of these buildings.” Architect Anderson said there would be challenges. “This building’s not the easiest one to work with,” he said, explaining the project would require “lots of flexibility ... and compromises.” The Old Courthouse dates to 1857, See COURTHOUSE, Page 3

Continued from Page 2

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY LARRY LOUGH

This window on the west end of the first floor of the Old Courthouse is hidden by a staircase behind a wall with an “emergency exit only” door that was added in the 1960s. Modifications to the 1857 building to accommodate new tenants might remove that wall and expose the window to visitors coming through the front door of the building. told the council they would need only a little space in the Sheriff’s House to scoop their premium “farm to cone” ice cream. They also want outdoor seating on the patio in front. “It’s a super-simple operation,” Clint Carey told the council. “We make what we consider really good ice cream, and we sell it.” Despite some skepticism by council

members, Carey insisted The Milk House was a year-round business, with a lot of sales around holidays, especially Christmas.

Maintaining arts space

Library Director Nick Weber has proposed a community-focused art center in the Old Courthouse, which would use space being vacated by the

‘Jigsaw puzzle’

Preliminary plans, Moore explained, were to tailor space for applicants’ needs with a “vanilla box-level” finish and leave it to the various tenants to make their own use-specific changes. He said, however, the budget did include a catering kitchen to accommodate a banquet facility. Officials have said they hope to negotiate with the four prospective tenants so that each can be accommodated, even if it’s not exactly what they envision now. “It’s a jigsaw puzzle putting all the parts together,” Mayor Sager said, calling it “an interesting opportunity.”

NEWS

the Sheriff’s House to 1887. Remodeling costs in those old structures also are likely to be a surprise, Brian Loprino of the Public House said in a recent meeting. Work on his restaurant that contractors had estimated at $200,000 turned into a $350,000 project. Kathryn Loprino told the council that the restaurant’s proposal – to make use of the old jail cells for dining – was not about expansion of her business but involved “offering a different experience.” Michael Ervin of Ethereal said the timetable for the project – opening in early 2022 – would fit with plans of his company’s recent reopening after extensive remodeling of the former Elks Lodge building across Cass Street from the Sheriff’s House. When Councilman Turner asked whether the Ethereal proposal was a “leap” considering its recent expansion, Ervin said it might be if the project was only a year away. “You take risks for things you think are exciting,” said Ervin, who proposes to expand banquet space and Ethereal’s speakeasy into the old buildings. Clint and Brook Carey, owners of The Milk House in Pingree Grove,

Feb. 12-18, 2020

Northwest Area Arts Council, which plans to move out at the end of 2020. “If we can keep that [arts space] alive in the building,” planner Moore said, “I think it will be beneficial for the community.” Weber said the library needed someplace for its expansive programming. “A lot of our most popular programs are arts-based programs,” he said, mentioning “hands-on, interactive” activities such as painting, drawing, and sculpture. “We’re not really equipped for that.” He also suggested that the library’s need for daytime space could be coordinated with others’ need for room to host evening events.

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COURTHOUSE

NEWS

Feb. 12-18, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

OBITUARIES

Abundia ‘Abby’ Vidales, 78

Abundia “Abby” Vidales, age 78, of Woodstock, Ill., passed peacefully on Sunday, Feb. 2, 2020, with her family by her side. Abby was born on July 11, 1941, in San Antonio, Texas, to Antonio and Catarina Garcia. She loved spending time with her children, grandchil- Abundia dren, nieces, and ‘Abby’ Vidales nephews and was an avid Cubs and Bears fan. Abby is survived by her sons, Henry (Laura) Vidales and Roger (Rebecca) Vidales; her grandchildren, Anthony (Katie)

Vidales, Alicia (Justin) Koller, Justin Vidales, Tyler Vidales, Kara Vidales, Samuel Vidales, and Jack Vidales; her greatgrandchildren, McKenna Vidales, Ethan Koller, Alexis Koller, Teagan Vidales, Adalynn Vidales, and Hayden Vidales; her brother, Juan Garcia, and sister, Bernardina Llamas; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brother, Raymond Garcia, and her husband, Enrique Vidales. A gathering for family was held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 8, at Marengo First Assembly of God Church, 22817 W. Grant Hwy., Marengo, Ill., followed at 4 by a family service. A Celebration of Abby’s Life for all friends and family will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the Vidales home, 1010 Bunker St., in Woodstock.

IN BRIEF Meetings set on grants for neighborhood revitalization Woodstock and Harvard could receive as much as $160,000 a year for the next five years through a grant for neighborhood revitalization program that Mayor Brian Sager first mentioned in his State of the City address in October. A flier is being mailed this week to about 150 homes and businesses on Woodstock’s east side, where city officials plan a pilot program that would spread to other areas of the city. Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area targets in Woodstock are the Judd and Calhoun street corridors into the downtown Square. Work would be funded by a federal Community Development Block grant administered by

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

Woodstock Police Department

■ Iesha S. Stewert, 22, Chicago, was arrested Jan. 24 at Eastwood Drive and Catalpa Lane on charges of no valid driver’s license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, restraint violation of child younger than 8, and improper lane usage. Released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bond. Court date March 5. ■ Brenda C. Quintaro, 26, Woodstock, was arrested Jan. 25 in the 200 block of Seminary Avenue on charges of theft of motor vehicle and possession of stolen vehicle. Taken to jail. Bond and court date to be set. ■ Elizabeth Fernandez-Roman, 20, Elgin, was arrested Jan. 28 at Wicker and Washington streets on charges of no valid driver’s license, operating an uninsured motor vehicle, unlawful possession of cannabis in a vehicle, improper lane usage, and possession of drug paraphernalia. Held on $2,500 bond. Court date Feb. 27. ■ Jennifer Luna, 18, Woodstock, was arrested Jan. 28 in the 500 block of Raffel Road on charges of driving while license suspended and speeding. Held on $2,500 bond. Court date Feb. 20. ■ Cody A. Olmsted, 27, Woodstock, was arrested Jan. 29 at Jefferson and Church streets on charges of driving while license suspended and electronic communications device. Released on I-bond. Court date Feb. 27. ■ Joseph C. McMullen, 34, Hebron, was arrested Jan. 29 in the 600 block of South Eastwood Drive on charges of no valid driver’s license and expired registration. Released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bond. Court date Feb. 20. ■ Robert M. Johnson, 38, transient, was arrested Feb. 1 in the 100 block of Van Buren Street on a charges of

possession of controlled substance and two McHenry County warrants. Held on $30,000 bond. Court date to be set. ■ Victor M. Soto-Meraz, 45, Woodstock, was arrested Feb. 1 in the 500 block of North Madison Street on two counts of domestic battery. Taken to jail. Bond and court date to be set. ■ Sean E. Gunter, 27, transient, was arrested Feb. 1 in the 2000 block of Willow Brooke Drive on charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and three counts of aggravated battery to a peace officer. Taken to jail. Bond and court date to be set. ■ Brandon W. Leisten, 23, Woodstock, was arrested Feb. 3 in the 2300 block of Linden Drive on charges of aggravated assault/discharge of firearm and disorderly conduct. Taken to jail. Bond and court date to be set. ■ Noe Cazares, 24, Woodstock, was arrested Feb. 3 at Eastwood Drive and Calhoun Street on a charge of driving while driver’s license suspended. Released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bond. Court date Feb. 20. ■ Breaann T. Schneberger, 20, McHenry, was arrested Feb. 6 at McHenry Avenue and Raffel Road on charges of driving while driver’s license suspended and speeding. Released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bond. Court date Feb. 20. ■ Jesus Cruz, 34, Woodstock, was arrested Feb. 3 in the 600 block of Lake Avenue on four counts of domestic battery. Taken to jail. Bond and court date to be set. ■ Alejandro Quintero, 18, Woodstock, was arrested Jan. 31 in the 2400 block of Bridgewater Drive on a McHenry County warrant charging failure to appear. Held on $6,000 bond. Court

date to be set. ■ Irene E. Mondragon, 22, Marengo, was arrested Feb. 1 at Lake Avenue and Eastwood Drive on charges of unlawful possession of cannabis in a vehicle and disobeying traffic control device. Released after posting $100 bond. Court date Feb. 21.

McHenry County Sheriff’s Office

■ Tyler J. Fish, 22, Wonder Lake, was arrested Jan. 30 on charges of driving on suspended driver’s license, unlawful use of cannabis/driver, and failure to give signal. ■ Jermane L. Pugh, 32, Wonder Lake, was arrested Feb. 2 on charges of aggravated domestic battery/strangle (two counts), interfering with the reporting of domestic violence, resisting peace officer, delivery of cocaine 1-15 grams, possession of controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and obstructing justice/destroying evidence. ■ Ruben D. Ceballos-Barranco, 28, Wonder Lake, was arrested Feb. 3 on a charge of driving on suspended driver’s license. ■ Ryan M. Regner, 30, Wonder Lake, was arrested Feb. 3 on a charge of driving on suspended driver’s license. ■ Rosendo Vasquez-Jiminez, 37, Woodstock, was arrested Jan. 30 on charges of domestic battery/bodily harm, resisting peace officer, aggravated assault/use of deadly weapon/ rifle, domestic battery/physical contact, and carrying/possession of knife with intent. Charges are only accusations of crimes, and defendants are presumed innocent until proved guilty.

McHenry County. The program will be discussed, and citizens input is invited, at these three meetings in Woodstock: n 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at Stage Left Café, 125 Van Buren St. n 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Feb. 25, in Conference Room C at the McHenry County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road n 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27, in Conference Room A at the McHenry County Administration Building

City officials in Woodstock and Harvard have been asked to develop plans by May 31 that identify activities to improve properties of low- and moderate-income households. Among possible projects could be façade improvements, residential improvements, lead-based paint abatement, down payment assistance programs, and elimination of slum and blight.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District

Fire Runs indicates units dispatched and what was found at the scene. Ambulance calls of Woodstock Fire/Rescue District are reported here in number only. EMS calls for Jan. 30-Feb. 5: 104 Fire Runs Jan. 31

8:08 a.m. – Lake Shore Drive and U.S. 14, traffic accident with no injuries; ambulance, shift commander, engine Feb. 1

1:11 p.m. – 2000 block of Julie Street, smoke or odor removal; engine 2:20 p.m. – 400 block of Wicker Street, arcing/shorted electrical equipment; engine Feb. 2

8:17 p.m. – 4000 Country Club Road, EMS call excluding traffic accident; ambulance Feb. 3

7:26 a.m. – 1100 block of Rose Farm Road, dumpster or other outside trash receptacle fire; engine 7:47 a.m. – Route 120 and Fleming Road, traffic accident with injuries; engine, ambulance, shift commander Feb. 4

3:38 a.m. – 2000 block of Lake Avenue, unintentional transmission of alarm; engine 4:38 a.m. – 700 block of Irving Avenue, fuel burner/boiler malfunction, fire confined; shift commander, ambulance, two engines Feb. 5

9:57 a.m. – 1700 block of South Eastwood Drive, unintentional alarm system activation, no fire; shift commander, engine 12:54 p.m. – 600 block of East Kimball Avenue, lockout; engine 3:29 p.m. – 3000 block of Braeburn Way, unintentional transmission of alarm; shift commander, engine

IN BRIEF

State of Addiction topic of Feb. 24 presentation

Staff Report

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

PHOTO BY ALEX VUCHA, WOODSTOCK FIRE/RESCUE DISTRICT

Firefighters battle a barn fire late Thursday that did heavy damage to the structure on Pleasant Valley Road, south of Woodstock. Animals were evacuated, and no injuries were reported. While no cause was immediately established, it did not appear to be suspicious. the road. Because of the rural nature of the area, less than a third of the 90-squaremile district has hydrants. Out-of-town departments responding were from Wonder Lake, Marengo, Hebron, McHenry, Union, Huntley, Harvard, Algonquin, Nunda, Richmond, Crystal Lake, Cary, Antioch, Barrington, Spring Grove, and MESS

Canteen. The fire was reported at 11:14 p.m. in the 160-by-35-foot barn south of the residence. The barn sustained heavy fire, smoke, and water damage, but a loss estimate was not immediately available. The fire remained under investigation by WFRD, but the cause did not appear to be suspicious.

Centennial of women’s vote first topic of lecture series Staff Report

NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Women’s suffrage movement a century ago will be the first of four programs in 34th annual Sampler Lecture Series of the McHenry County Historical Society Museum. Historic dramatist Leslie Goddard will present “Alice Paul: Winning Votes for Women” at 7 p.m. Leslie Monday, March 9, Goddard at the museum, 6422 Main St. in Union. Other programs in the series will be: n 4 p.m., Monday, March 23 – “Picture Postcards: The Happy Invention.” In America, the first picture postcards were printed for the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago – making Illinois the birthplace of the American picture postcard. This program made possible by a grant from

Illinois Humanities. n 4 p.m. Monday, April 6 – “When Potato Fields were Prisons: Unfree Agriculture in McHenry County during World War II.” Sam Klee, a history professor at St. Louis University, will share his findings about a little known aspect of World War II: the forced labor of Japanese (and later, German) prisoners of war to work the potato fields around Marengo and across the Midwest. n 7 p.m. Monday, April 20 – “The Eastland Disaster: An Unparalleled Tragedy.” Members of the Eastland Disaster Historical Society will recount the tragic 1915 capsizing of the Eastland passenger liner, when 844 passengers and crew were killed in what was to become the largest loss of life from a single shipwreck on the Great Lakes. All programs are at the society museum, 6422 Main St. in Union. Series tickets are $40, $35 for society members. A $12 donation is requested for individual programs. For information or to buy tickets, call 815-923-2267 or visit www.gothistory.org.

COURTESY PHOTO

Suffragette Alice Paul in 1920

Goddard, who earned a doctorate in history from Northwestern University, is from Darien. She said the fight for the vote was long and difficult. “This commitment to get women the vote took a lot longer and was a lot harder fought than people realize,” Goddard said. “Getting there took a lot of persistence, and it encouraged a lot of innovative types of persuasion. ... “That endurance and not giving up – that is a great message for anyone interested in activism.”

Early voting underway for March 17 primary Voting for the March 17 primary election is underway in McHenry County, but you have to be in Woodstock to do it. The office of County Clerk on the first floor of the County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, is open for voting from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Additional early voting sites throughout the county will begin Tuesday, March 3. The Administration Building also will begin weekend voting that week, with hours on Saturdays, March 7 and 14, and Sunday, March 15. The special “I Voted” sticker was being handed out to the first 1,000 early voters, employees of the clerk’s office reported when voting started Feb. 6.

Citizens’ Climate Lobby to explain carbon price The McHenry County Chapter of Citizens’ Climate Lobby will offer a program on “Putting a Price on Carbon – How would it work, what are the benefits, and how would it affect you?” at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at the Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd St. Citizens’ Climate Lobby is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit volunteer organization with the mission of creating the political will to find commonsense solutions to climate change. For more information, visit mchenryccl@gmail.com.

NEWS

Another structure fire outside the city had the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District last week scrambling to get water haulers from other departments. No injuries were reported after a large barn in the 13800 block of Pleasant Valley Road, south of Woodstock, caught fire about 11 p.m. Thursday. Homeowners reported they evacuated several animals from the barn before firefighters arrived. Because it is a rural area of the district where there are no hydrants, WFRD called for additional water tenders, firefighters, and backup companies. Rural operations were immediately commenced, WFRD reported, and water supply was established at

Feb. 12-18, 2020

15 departments from area assist effort south of city

A presentation of the State of Addiction in McHenry County by the county’s Substance Abuse Coalition will begin at 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, in Luecht Conference Center at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. 14, Crystal Lake. According to Laura L. Crain, coordinator of the local Drug Free program, the presentation will help people to understand substance use, substance use disorders, and recovery in McHenry County. Highlighted at the event will be long-term recovery support and how it is building in McHenry County, which is the only county in the area to see a continued decrease in overdose deaths. For more information, visit McHenryCountySAC.org.

5 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Barn fire has firefighters hauling water

OPINION

Feb. 12-18, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Opinion

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Cheryl Wormley Publisher, Co-Owner

Paul Wormley Co-Owner

Woodstock, IL • 1987

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Cheryl Wormley Larry Lough Sandy Kucharski Ken Farver

Getting a look at ‘mystique’ of courtrooms Twenty years into the 21st century, McHenry County’s court system has joined the 20th century in allowing the news media to use cameras in reporting on trial proceedings – extended media coverage is what they call it in Illinois. When the Illinois Supreme Court decided in 2012 to establish a pilot program to give that new-fangled imaging technology a try, it wasn’t breaking new ground. At that time, 36 states already had policies to allow cameras inside courtrooms. “This is another step to bring more transparency and more accountability to the Illinois court system,” Illinois Chief Justice Thomas L. Kilbride said at the time, suggesting a camera “affords a closer look at the workings of our court system to the public through the eyes of the electronic news media and news photographers.” Kilbride noted that while the policy was new to Illinois, it had been “standard practice in many other states” – neighboring Iowa and Wisconsin among them. Maybe you saw photographs and TV coverage from inside the courtroom when mass killer Jeffrey Dahmer was sentenced in Milwaukee – in 1992. “I am confident,” Chief Justice Kilbride wrote 20 years later, “that through the diligence of our chief circuit judges and our trial judges, along with the professionalism of the news media, that it may become a standard practice in our state, too.” Illinois has allowed cameras during Supreme Court and Appellate Court hearings since 1983, but fair trial concerns led to a statewide ban at the trial court level. Kilbride, from Rock Island County in Illinois’ 14th judicial circuit, let it be known he wanted his home district to be first in the state, and that happened Jan. 31, 2012, for Rock Island, Henry, Mercer, and Whiteside counties. Seven other judicial circuits followed that year, encompassing 19 additional counties. Those included Boone and Winnebago counties in the 17th circuit, to the immediate west of McHenry County. Kane County to our south and Lake County to our east signed up in 2013, leaving McHenry County as northern Illinois’ island of resistance to judicial transparency. The floodgates opened in February 2016 when the

» YOUR VIEW

Many thanks for success of Groundhog Days fest Who knew a rodent would grow up to be so popular? When the movie “Groundhog Day” was filmed in Woodstock in 1992, nobody would have guessed that so many years later there would be a festival that has grown

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY LUKE GOINS

Supreme Court made the pilot program a permanent policy. Two circuits covering 11 counties adopted courtroom cameras that year. They were late to the party; McHenry County was still hiding in the closet. Then it happened this past December. The 22nd judicial circuit made McHenry County the 61st county in Illinois to embrace visual reporting from trial courts. To the credit of local jurists, we’re not the last to arrive. It seems 41 counties – nearly all of them smaller counties in the southern half of the state – are still holding back. And it’s not like courtrooms are being overrun by photographers and videographers covering every utterance and exposing every face in a trial. Judges still have total control of the process. Newspapers and broadcasters have to ask the judge for permission – 14 days before a proceeding – to take cameras into court. Court policies put a limit

to what it is. And who would have guessed that Groundhog Day and Woodstock, Ill., would be featured in a Super Bowl commercial, how fitting, on Feb. 2. I would like to thank all of my fans for coming out to enjoy the festivities during Woodstock Groundhog Days. I would like to thank the sponsors who support Woodstock Groundhog Days and make all of the FREE activities possible.

of two still photographers and two TV cameras for any event, but judges may limit that further. Media members may not move around the courtroom, use artificial lighting (such as flashes), or do anything to distract from a proceeding. Jurors may not be shown, nor some people who testify, such as sexual abuse victims (except with their permission), police informants, and undercover officers. No photos or video of jury selection is permissible, nor are some proceedings such as those involving juveniles, adoption, and child custody. McHenry County – and the Woodstock area particularly – is fortunate to be a relatively low-crime area. But we do occasionally get the bizarre or brutal crime that should get extended media coverage. With sufficient safeguards in this matter, McHenry County is up to date – finally. We look forward to enhancing courtroom reporting for our readers.

I also need to thank the city of Woodstock for the support they gave way back in 1992 when this all started with the filming and continues to this year when Bill Murray and a production team came to disrupt daily life around the Square. It was déjà vu all over again and certainly added a lot of excitement. Woodstock Groundhog Days is a not-for-profit organization. If you have any comments or suggestions or if you would like to join

the committee, please contact the chairman, Rick Bellairs, (Rick@ RickBellairs.com) or call the Woodstock Groundhog Days Hotline at 815-334-2620. Think spring! And I’ll see you in Woodstock next year on Feb. 2 for Groundhog Day. Your furry friend, Woodstock Willie (Rick Bellairs, chairman, Groundhog Days committee)

THAT SAME clerk also punched up the ballot I wanted, though I’m not sure how that will work once everything works. Larry Lough You can select from among Dem- Declarations ocratic, Republican, and nonpartisan ballots, that last one for such things as ballot initiatives and candidates in races where political parties are not designated (such as municipal and school board offices). Only one was on my ballot, about restructuring the regional office of education. Wonder Lake voters also have a question about a property tax increase for fire protection again this election. I chose a Republican ballot, something I’ve done since moving to the Democratic state of Illinois in 2003. Back when I lived in the Republican state of Indiana, I always took a Democratic ballot. What does that tell you? Not much. I consider myself a political pragmatist. BACK IN INDIANA, I ALWAYS resided in university towns, where a liberal bent affected local politics, or in auto towns, where the Democratic politics of the United Auto Workers union had influence. In those days, choosing a Democratic ballot in a primary election meant I had a choice because there usually were contested races for the party’s nomination to state and local offices. The Republican ballot was full of vacancies and uncontested races. I found the exact opposite in the Republican stronghold of McHenry County. You can usually find contests on the GOP ballot, but few if any on

the Democratic ticket. When I voted my Republican ballot last week, there was competition for the offices of U.S. president, U.S. Senate, U.S. Congress, and county coroner. Some Woodstock residents also will have a contest for County Board District 6 on the GOP ballot. Had I voted Democratic, president and Illinois House 63 would have been my only races. So, you can say I’m a Republican for voting in that party’s primary; or you could say I was a Democrat in Indiana for voting in that party’s primary. But I’ll still insist I’m just a political pragmatist. OF COURSE, SOME PEOPLE won’t vote at all in a primary election because they don’t want to ask for a partisan ballot. It is a public record, you know. Anybody can go to the clerk’s record to inspect your voting record – which merely discloses in which elections you voted (and when you didn’t) and whose party’s ballot you voted in primary elections. (Full disclosure: As a reporter, I often have checked voting records to find out the age of candidates who would not divulge that sensitive information.) My father was one of those who didn’t want others “to know my politics.” He never voted in the spring (first Tuesday after the first Monday in May in Indiana), but always cast a ballot in the fall (first Tuesday after the first Monday in November everywhere). On the other hand, my mother made the trek across the street to Sunnyside Elementary School to vote in any election she could. After all, when she was born, it was not legal for her mother – and other American women – to vote. I’m glad we fixed that. Larry Lough is editor of The Woodstock Independent. His email is larry@ thewoodstockindependent.com.

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CONTACT INFO FOR LOCALLY ELECTED OFFICIALS U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood Woodstock District Office 666 Russel Court, Suite 309 Woodstock, IL 60098 Woodstock office: 815-527-9533

State Sen. Craig Wilcox District Office 5400 W. Elm St., Suite 103 McHenry, IL 60050 815-455-6330

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McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks 6903 S. Grant Hwy. Marengo, IL 60152 815-334-4224 (work) jdfranks@co.mchenry.il.us

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OPINION

WHAT I FOUND OUT WHEN I showed up as the county’s 17th voter of 2020 about 1:30 p.m. Thursday was that the voting process was not quite ready for prime time. No sample ballot was available, and as of Friday afternoon the website of the clerk’s office still did not have the ballot or precinct finder functioning. When I voted, a clerk had to come from around the counter to my touchscreen voting device and punch in a magic code that enabled me to vote. Those inconveniences should be cleared up in a few days, maybe even by the time you read this. Running an election is no easy process. If you want to vote this month, visit the clerk’s office in the County Administration Building. I took my voter registration card with me; you might do that, too – if you can find it. The clerk’s office opens at 8:30 weekdays for early voters who want to vote in February. Or you can wait until March 3, when the early voting process moves countywide. Weekend hours will begin that week, and the next week voting will be allowed until 7 p.m. Check the clerk’s website at

mchenrycountyil. gov for all the info.

671 E. Calhoun St. • Woodstock, IL 60098 Phone: 815-338-8040 www.thewoodstockindependent.com

Feb. 12-18, 2020

On the first day for early voting in the March 17 primary election, I visited the McHenry County clerk’s office and cast my ballot. Even got a nifty “I voted” sticker that celebrates the centennial of women’s suffrage – the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which ensures women the right to vote. Hard to believe that just 100 years ago women were still being beaten and jailed for trying to exercise a fundamental right of American citizenship. Not so hard when you realize those same forces against progress have resisted so many other efforts to ensure civil and human rights – in the U.S.! – over the past century. And those forces are still around.

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Schools

COURTESY PHOTO

Jenny Webster from the Child Advocacy Center talks with St. Mary School students about programs available for children and parents. The presentation was made on Vocation Day during the school’s observance of National Catholic Schools Week.

Events observe Catholic Schools week By Janet Dovidio

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

St. Mary Catholic School celebrated the 46th annual National Catholic Schools Week from Jan. 26 to Feb. 1. This year’s theme was “Learn. Serve. Lead. Succeed.” “Catholic Schools Week kicks off the second half of the school year reenergizing our students, teachers and parents,” Principal Vince Sossong said. “We focus on creating a community event for our students while also inviting in outside members of our community.” Events on the first day included a family Mass, pancake breakfast, and an open house with tours of classrooms and facilities. Students exhibited projects in their classrooms. Emmy-winning author and storyteller Jim May was featured in a presentation of stories from his collection.

Each day of the week followed a special theme. Home and School Association hosted a Fun Fair for elementary students that included games and funny gifts. Parents came to enjoy lunch with their children.

“Catholic Schools Week kicks off the second half of the school year reenergizing our students, teachers and parents.” - Principal Vince Sassong St. Mary Catholic School Another day featured a pep rally that honored student-athletes and their achievements. The seventhgrade boys basketball team was recognized for an undefeated season and winning the conference championship.

Parents and parishioners volunteered their time on Vocation Day. Students rotated among different booths to learn about many careers. Troy Strange talked about the McHenry County Public Works Department. Jenny Webster explained how the Child Advocacy Center assists children and parents in the community. The week ended with a Pro Life Variety Show hosted by the eighthgrade girls, who demonstrated their musical talents and gymnastics skills. After the performance, they collected four boxes of baby items for donation to the 1st Way Life Center in Johnsburg. “I love Vocation Day,” Sossong said. “Our parents and parishioners spend their afternoon teaching our students and opening their eyes to various career options and how they impact their lives as a vocation to our Lord.”

Four students from Wonder Lake and Woodstock were among 1,186 undergraduate students enrolled at Western Illinois University who were named to the fall 2019 dean’s list. They are seniors Colton Folliard and Luke Reuss and sophomore Emma Holtz of Wonder Lake, and senior Emily Rose Haynes of Woodstock.

Student receive degrees from Western Illinois U.

Two local students were among 665 students who earned academic degrees or post-baccalaureate certificates after the fall 2019 semester at Western Illinois University in Macomb. They were Branden Richard Kmetz, Wonder Lake, Bachelor of Science in law enforcement and justice administration; and Kristin Marie Conrad, Woodstock, Master of Science in education, curriculum and instruction.

Woodstock student named to dean’s list at Delaware

Kelly Read of Woodstock has been named to the University of Delaware’s dean’s list for the fall 2019 semester. To meet eligibility requirements for the dean’s list, a student must be enrolled full time and earn a GPA of 3.5 or above (on a 4.0 scale) for the semester.

SCHOOLS

Local students named to Western Illinois dean’s list

Feb. 12-18, 2020

Aurora University has named more than 1,300 undergraduate students to the dean’s list for the fall 2019 semester. Students from Woodstock are Karlie Bartlett, a junior with a social work major; Sarah Drafall, a junior majoring in nursing; Brian Flores, a freshman studying business administration and Spanish; Courtnie Gabala, a sophomore nursing major; Lesly Guarneros, a freshman studying business administration and Spanish; Kennis Harr, a junior in social work; Hanna Major a junior psychology major; Angel Ortega, a freshman in social work; Irene Vasquez, a freshman Spanish major; and Diana Zovkic, a sophomore with an art major.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

COLLEGE CURRENTS Aurora University names 10 locals to fall dean’s list

SCHOOLS

Feb. 12-18, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Woodstock High School Honor Roll

Woodstock High School students who were named to the 2019-20 honor roll for the first semester are:

12th GRADE

High Honor Roll: Anna Almeida, Alexandra Apostolopoulos, Caroline Arnold, Megan Baker, Hanna Berry, Emmamarie Brand, Sarah Caspari, Grace Cochrane, Emma Colby, Riley Coughlan, Susan Crenshaw, Claudia Cruz Avila, Fiona Frawley, Hunter Haak, Lauryn Hahn, Madelyn Hughes, Caitlin Mae Kaufmann, Leonardo Lara Gallegos, Erin Lockwood, Monserrat Mendez, Lacie Mickle, Nicole Nilsson, Vanessa Olandese, Cara Orndahl, Darshaben Patel, Kelsey Perkins, Kaleb Robey, Reagan Rockwood, Cristian Ruiz-Ortiz, Emily Schroeder, Jackson Schumacher, Angelina Scolio, Liam Spear, Amber Stell, Katelyn Steponaitis, Adam Thomas, Andrew Tillman, Tyler Waterson, Cameron Wormley Honor Roll: Jasmin Alanis, Giselle Alarcon, Lucia Alcazar, Melody Ayala, Trinity Bailey, Kaley Beckman, Karla Bedoya, Sophia Black, Sonja Bozic, Jasmin Bravo, Autumn Brown, Jeniffer Cabrera, Caroline Cherniak, Adriana Chimal, Christopher Crenshaw, Emma Edgell, Juan EscutiaArreola, Arturo Flores-Gonzalez, John

Follett, Giselle Garcia-Barrera, Jerred Grell, Eden Janiga, Shannon Koscinski, Elena Kruse, Max Markowitz, Aiden Martys, Aidan Mayer, Juel Mecklenburg, Joscelin Ordaz, Delaney Peterson, Faith Phipps, Michael Purkey, Layevska Reyes Bello, Jennifer Rodriguez Guadarrama, Nathan Ryan, Teagan Sailor, Cameron Scharff, Tyler Schwerzler, Cassidy Shea, Thomas Spukas, Samantha Sund, Coralyn Topf, Kyle Troy, Robert Valdespino, Aitzel Vanessa Valencia Gonzalez, Erika Vasquez, Alexander Vogel, Megan Weber, Sophia Wicker, Brooke Wolf, Elijah Woodson, Calvin Wormley, James Wormley, Katherine Zanck

11th GRADE

High Honor Roll: Zachary Adams, Solomon Anderson, Bradley Arnold, Elizabeth Arnold, Audrey Baker, Nole Bristen, Jacob Canty, William Cunningham, Quinton Cynor, Gunner Dunnett, Brianna Flores, Denis Gjoni, CaroleAnn Goglin, Matthew Gray, Christian Hagmann, Abigail Heidtke, Jeffrey Hughes, Tanner Hurless, Andrew Iversen, Bojidar Kostov, Ian Matthies, Colin McQueen, Caitlin Montalbano, Meghan Nixon, Melisa ParedesLopez, Jay Patel, Prithvi Patel, Theresa Presisto, Katlyn Schillinger, Aidan Schleutermann, Robby Schultz Jr., Zoe Snook,

STUDENT OF THE WEEK HAILEA

SACCO-NICKETTA

Hailea Sacco-Nicketta is a senior at Marian Central Catholic High School. She is the daughter of Kerri and John Nicketta, McHenry. “Hailea went on the March for Life trip along with 24 other students and volunteers to read and lead groups in all activities. She stood out as one of those students who really enjoyed the trip, helping those along the way,” said one of her teachers. Hailea has been on high honor roll and principal’s list. She is an Illinois State Scholar and has earned the Discipleship Award, the Academic Excellence Award and the Scholar-Athlete Award. Hailea is a member of the Marian Central mentor program and student council, and she is president of the French Honor Society. She is a member of the Marian volleyball team and the Marian soccer team. Outside of school, she has participated in the March for Life 2020 and Feed My Starving Children. When asked who inspires her, Hailea said, “My teachers motivate me by always encouraging me to do my best and by caring about my success.” When asked what makes her feel successful, Hailea said, “I feel I am successful because of the amazing friends and family I am surrounded by who love and support me unconditionally.”

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

McKenna Sweet, Celia Tafoya, Burke Thome, Hannah Wietermann, Clara Wilk, Alexander Wojnicki

Honor Roll: Keaton Asbach, Jona Bejko, Priyanka Bhatt, Brianna Bielski, Donovan Burns, Bryan Bustos, Elena Bychowski, Bradley Campbell, Naxali Cervantes, Kenzie Chellberg, David Chinlund, Mei Cornell, Logan Daniels, Justin Deleon, Joshua Dix, Lili Duran Montero, Cassandra Escalante, Alejandro Flores Cruz, Nicholas Follett, Jonathan Gomez-Banos, Molly Grossman, Eva Hampston, Taylor Hauck, Faith Ayona Lynn Iradiel, Denon Jennings, Megan Jerz, Walter Kinsey, Jimena Nunez, Edward Pala, Stephanie Porcayo, Nathan Ratliff, Jimena Rea, Christopher Richardson, Hector Ruiz, Giselle San Juan, Britanny Sanchez, Katrina Schubert, Grace Sivore, Gabriella Spagnola, Ailani Torres, Jesika Wilson

10th GRADE

High Honor Roll: Emily Albrecht, Benjamin Baker, Larissa Beckman, Vivian Broughton, Jack Brown, Cielo Cervantes, Sarah Colby, Evan Crenshaw, Marren Dougherty, Ireland Dunnett, Kalyn Embry, Ethan Ewart, Jon Cian Gross, Haley Halsall, Isabelle Halsall, Susan Hansen, Mackenzie Heelein, Danny Hernandez Ortiz, Max Hodory, Alexander Iversen, Matthew Keyzer, Hunter Lisowski, Gavin Loiselle, Timothy Maidment, Kayla Martinez, Evan Neuhart, John Novelle, Elizabeth Pape, Ava Primus, Sophia Raymond, James Roush, Kyle Santos, Elizabeth Sardelli, Caleb Sciame, Abigail Swan, Kaia Sweet, Hailey Virella, Alexander Walrod, Abigail Weber, Alexander Wickersheim, Maddison Wienke Honor Roll: Sierra Barnhill, Sara Berkebile, Kaeden Bogott, Jarixa Bravo, Brennon Butenschoen, Daisy Campos, Jacqueline Castaneda, Valerie Castaneda, Benjamin Chapman, Matthew Chonos, Joana Colin, Aliyah Cruz, Daniel Degutis, Robert Diaz Arizmendi, Genesis Dunn, Ximena Duran Montero, Marcos Fernandez Fernandez, Amelia Ferrarini, Kelly Fischbach, Reese Freund, Caroline Fuller, Javier Garay,

Elizabeth Gessert, Xochitl Godinez, Tyler Heelein, Grace Karner, Madison Kentgen, Madelyn Lazzarotto, Meredithe Leetzow, Anayeli Leon, Mitchell McHugh, Jonathan Mickle, Madelyn Moan, Alvaro Mungaray, Jacob Murray, Itzel Orozco Mireles, Breanna Ortiz, Olivia Pagnotta, Jose Paredes Lopez, Caroline Reuter, Jesus Rivas, Karyme Rodriguez, Gabriel Rojas, Jacob Ryan, Sean Ryan, Alan Salazar Rodriguez, Alexis Sanchez, Clark Shulfer, Chase Simonton, Jennifer Smith, Miranda Stumpff, Hamzah Subhani, Emily Tapia, Luke Trewyn, Nicole Vandewalker, Jazmin Vazquez Figueroa, Connor Wietermann, Jadyn Wohlhart

NINTH GRADE

High Honor Roll: Keaton Andrews, Jaydin Beckel, Kin-San Carr, Melany Cervantes, Ingrid Gay, Cassandra Goudreau, Aidan Greenlee, Delaney Heidtke, Olivia Hughes, Alyssa Ashley Anne Iradiel, Isabella Kozlow, Colton Madigan, Rian Mecklenburg, Emma Meiners, Isabella Meiners, Sophia Meiners, Mason Mendoza, Vince Andru Perez, Sulema Ruiz, Natalie Sheehan, Jennifer Tapia, Kathleen Thomas, Makayla Thomas, Alisha Virani, Allissa Wienke Honor Roll: Leonel Alvarez, Jeremiah Anderson, Adeline Arana, Christina Bank, Braden Barrette, Shea Behrens, Hadeon Berezowski, Emily Berna, Daisy Bernal, Damien Bieneman, Cheyanne Bierman, Adriana Bowers, Brayden Brown, Daniel Carbajal Flores, Maile DeWitt, Matthew Eisenhut, Katie Flores, Elimelech Freites-Alvarado, Daniela Gomez, Hayden Haak, Ryan Hahn, Lacie Hamiel, Kaylee Homeyer, Kate Jacobs, Alexis Jesse, Aiden Johnson, Charles Johnson, Lauren Johnson, Jaedyn Kentgen, Jared Kniola, Bowen Lopez, Jackson Lyons, Dante Marasco, Sylvia Markowitz, Ava Marsalla, Ricardo Murillo, Jackson Pajich, Kaden Perkins, Caitlyn Ptak, Jack Reinhart, Jinessa Rivas, Faith Roush, Meadow Santiago, Thomas Sieck, Corinne Sieff, Aidan Sivore, MayaLin Snow, Madelyn Sral, Avery Sternitzky, Ivan Sward, Alana Tribuzio, Ella Wicker

IN BRIEF

Community Foundation will award academic scholarships The Community Foundation for McHenry County is accepting applications until April 15 for 2020-21 academic scholarships. High school seniors and college students are invited to apply for scholarships that will be awarded in May. “As the cost of higher education continues to increase we encourage students to seek out scholarship

opportunities,” said Deb Thielen, executive director of The CFMC. “We are honored that each scholarship fund at The Community Foundation for McHenry County was created by members of our community to support the next generation of community members.” Detailed information can be found either with a high school guidance counselor or on the foundation website, thecfmc.org. For more information, email connect@ thecfmc.org or call 815-338-4483.

Two students from Woodstock earned dean’s list recognition for earning a grade-point average of 3.60 or higher for the fall 2019 semester at McKendree University in Lebanon. They are junior Alexandria Muschong and senior Kevin Zange.

Carthage College dean’s list includes four locals

Four local students were among more than 900 students to be named to the Carthage College dean’s list for the fall 2019 semester. They are Haley Ahr and Abigail Roberts of Woodstock and Rhiannan Gahgan and Melissa Vanlue of Wonder Lake. COURTESY PHOTO

Woodstock North High School students Marco Gonzalez and Jorawar Kahlon discuss coding changes while Alan Vergara, Ruben Martinez IV, and Dustin Herrmann verify their robot is functioning as designed.

Woodstock North robotic teams need sponsors, volunteers By Janet Dovidio

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Woodstock North High School will host a VEX Robotic Competition on Saturday, Feb. 29. This is the first competitive season for WNHS in official VEX competitions. The event needs many volunteers and additional sponsors. The Robotics Education & Competition Foundation sponsors VEX robotics competitions. VEX robotics seeks to inspire the next generation of STEM leaders. Teams of students design and build a robot to play against other teams in an engineering challenge. This year’s matchup is “Competition Tower Takeover.” Using a

12-by-12-foot-square field, players try to earn a higher score than opponents by placing cubes in towers or scoring cubes in goals. WNHS Project Lead The Way and technology teacher Stephen Buchs manage the school’s teams and the upcoming event. “VEX believes strongly in teamwork and positive fair play,” Buchs said. “The company releases a new challenge each year. Teams work to solve the challenge and compete to get to the world championship.” Each team buys its own equipment and builds its robot. Woodstock’s State Farm agent Mark Mitchell is a sponsor for this event, and Buchs encourages the help of additional sponsors. A single team budget for the year is about $1,000. This covers team registration, event fees, and equipment costs. Thousands of dollars are sometimes spent on equipment. The competition will include up to 32 teams, many from the McHenry

County area. The event needs many volunteers whose roles are supervision related to watching an area or a specific task. The state competition will take place March 14-15 at Illinois State University. Nationals will be April 22-25 at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville. “Students are able to develop real life skills in an exciting, competitive and interactive environment,” Buchs said. “I don’t assign any work for the students, and they naturally just put in the time to make a great solution, which does not take an amazing amount of time and effort as a team.” For more information, email Buchs at sbuchs@wcusd200.org. To volunteer, visit woodstockschools.org, then click on the Leap Day link. To view a YouTube video of a VEX competition, visit youtube.com/ watch?v=_JVQOiw_OUU.

Local students named to Marquette U. dean’s list

Three local students have been named to the dean’s list for the fall 2019 semester at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis. They are Rubi Miderski of Bull Valley, who is pursuing a bachelor of science in biomedical sciences; and Woodstock residents Katherine Littner and Makala Villont, who are pursuing Bachelor of Science degrees in nursing.

Edgewood College student earns fall semester honors

Isabel Rost of Woodstock has earned semester honors for the fall 2019 semester at Edgewood College in Madison, Wis. Full-time students who achieve a 3.5 grade-point average for the semester are eligible for this honor.

Four locals make dean’s list at Winona State U.

Three local students have been named to the fall 2019 dean’s list at Winona State University in Winona, Minn. They are Briana Baltes and Leah Dechant of Woodstock and Jessica Dicker and Melissa Dicker of Wonder Lake.

SCHOOLS

Denniz Wolf of Woodstock earned a Master of Science degree in applied psychology in December from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Menomonie. UW-Stout is Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, with a focus on applied learning, collaboration with business and industry, and career outcomes.

Feb. 12-18, 2020

Woodstock resident earns degree in applied psych

11 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Robot challenge builds teamwork

COLLEGE CURRENTS Local students recognized on McKendree dean’s list

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Feb. 12-18, 2020

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Tony winner Zimmerman up next for Creative Living

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Love of learning

Zimmerman’s genius is rooted in a love for literature, the visual arts, and

IN BRIEF MCC Black Box Theatre to premiere British comedy Nine performances of the British farce “What’s All This, Then?” are scheduled next month at the Black Box Theatre at McHenry County College. Sydney Adkins of Woodstock is a member of the cast that will perform at

When: 10 a.m., Feb. 20 Where: Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St. Tickets: $25, $15, 338-5300 or woodstockoperahouse.com

COURTESY PHOTO

Mary Zimmerman, playwright and Tony Award-winning director, will appear at the Creative Living Series on Feb 20. She will share images from her productions and explain how a director stages epic sea battles, the magic of flight, and the transfiguration of a man to a monster.

music, a legacy that she attributes to her parents, both professors at the University of Nebraska. Her father, a professor of physics, was a Rhodes Scholar. Her mother, a professor of comparative literature, specialized in French literature and translation. Although based in Lincoln, the family spent chunks of time in France and in England, where Zimmerman learned to read and write as a 5- and 6-yearold. Zimmerman developed a traveler’s curiosity, as well as a love of learning from her parents. “My mother was so interested in everything,” Zimmerman said. Zimmerman remembers her mother attending shows and lectures, and Zimmerman absorbed her interests as a

7 p.m. March 5 to 7, 12 to 14, and 19 to 21. Tickets cost $10 for all students, MCC employees, seniors, veterans, and MCC alumni, and $15 for the general public. For reservations or more information, call 815-455-8746. The play contains adult language. Four other Woodstock residents are

way of staying close to her. “They left me alone quite a lot,” Zimmerman said of her parents, and the young girl filled her time with reading and pretending, staging plays, and directing her friends, who were her fellow performers. Despite that early interest, Zimmerman said she did not consider directing as a career until she was in her 20s. The appeal lay in the creativity she could bring to telling a story. “There’s an astounding amount of deliberation and choice in directing,” Zimmerman said.

‘The richness of life’

She hopes to encourage her Creative Living audience to be aware of and appreciate a director’s choices of images – whether in the theater, on film, or in ballet. In addition to the classes she teaches to college students, Zimmerman often addresses students who are involved in the production of one of her plays. At the Creative Living Series, she plans to talk a bit about how she works and then to share slides with the audience to show how the images on stage can be “symbolic, poetic, or metaphoric.” “Theater,” Zimmerman said, “is a manifestation of love of the world. It is as rich, as varied, and as complex as life is. Theater is the richness of life itself.”

involved with the production. They are Maxwell Robey, lighting design; Rick Amundsen, lighting supervisor; Kathy Bruhnke, costume design; and Annelise Loser, stage manager. “What’s All This, Then?” was written by Bill Daniel, a Chicago-based actor, playwright, and MCC alum.

Chehalis Hegner, M4’s second artist in residence

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

As Mary Zimmerman accepted her 2002 Tony Award as Best Director of a Play for “Metamorphoses,” she professed to feeling “strangely calm.” Her voice soon betrayed her, quavering as she thanked her colleagues at the Lookingglass Theatre Company in Chicago and again when she mentioned her students at Northwestern University. The second female to win a Tony Award for directing a play, Zimmerman will appear at the Woodstock Opera House on Feb. 20 as part of the Creative Living Series. The Chicago-based playwright and director remains a Lookingglass Theatre Company member and chairwoman of performance studies at Northwestern, as well as an artistic associate at the Goodman Theatre. Zimmerman has directed New York productions at the Lincoln Center and for Shakespeare in the Park and is currently directing “Eurydice” for LA Opera. Her talented direction, wide-ranging adaptations, and gift for creating what she calls “visual poetry” onstage earned her a MacArthur Fellowship in 1998. The MacArthur Fellowship is sometimes referred to as a “genius grant.” Only the word genius can begin to explain how one person can pen a stage adaptation of “Arabian Nights,” co-write (with Arnold Weinstein) the libretto for “Galileo Galilei,” and direct a production of “Pericles, Prince of Tyre” for Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C.

Five months after celebrating its inaugural Artist Residency program, M4 announced its second artist to take residence within the design and manufacturing house in Woodstock, “challenging what is possible in the medium of plastic.” According to a news release, Chehalis Hegner was chosen for the second artist residency this month. She is an award-winning local artist who is fluent in photography. But it was her underlying motivation to create “improvisationally” that resonated with M4, said Patricia Miller, CEO and visionary. “Chehalis inspired us with her ideas to explore a multitude of applications beyond what we were imagining.” The Artist Residency, spearheaded by Miller and Kyle Swen, chief design officer, was launched in 2019 “to challenge what is possible and how melted plastic resin can be manipulated into objects of art,” according to the release. “Consciously aware that a valuable resource must not be wasted, and possibly reused, recycled or upcycled, we wanted to ignite the creative collaboration within the factory walls and alongside artists,” Miller explained. The company is at 610 E. Judd St.

Feb. 12-18, 2020

‘Mary Zimmermann - Staging the impossible: Visual metaphor in adaptation for the theatre’

By Susan W. Murray

IN BRIEF M4 names second artist for its residency program

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Playwright, director to share ‘genius’

Local students exhibit at Old Courthouse By Janet Dovidio

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Students from Woodstock and Wonder Lake are among 12 from McHenry County College whose artwork is on display at the Old Courthouse Satellite Gallery through March 8. All of the exhibited works have been chosen to represent MCC in the Skyway Art Competition or in the 2020 edition of MCC’s arts and literary magazine, VOICES 2020. “We are very excited about the VOICES and Skyway Select exhibition,” said Matt Irie, art department

Porcelain piece by Ann Marie Whitmore Lenzini

Collage by Denise Hoover chairman. “There was a large amount of great work submitted for consideration this year, and this exhibition is just a sampling of it.” The full-time art faculty chose the 25 pieces to be considered for the Skyway exhibition. Two student editors chose the work to be included in VOICES. The work of three Woodstock artists will represent MCC at the 2020 Skyway Art Competition. Denise Hoover’s work is a collage of pieces of paint that detached from a canvas while being run through a

washing machine. Ann Marie Whitmore Lenzini’s piece is porcelain. Jenny Vigh’s photography work is a silver gelatin print. Cheyenne Turley of Wonder Lake, whose piece is jewelry, will represent at the Skyway Exhibition and in VOICES 2020. “We are hoping to have a strong presence at the Skyway Competition Exhibition this year,” Irie said, “and we are anxiously awaiting the publication of the next edition of VOICES.” The Old Courthouse Satellite Gallery is at 101 N. Johnson St. in Woodstock. The Skyway exhibit will run from April 3 to May 4 at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove.

Photography of Jenny Vigh

IN BRIEF Portraits display at MCC celebrating Black history

Selections from the “Portrait in Print” collection in honor of Black History Month are being displayed through Feb. 29 at McHenry County College. The collection can be viewed in the MCC library and the Liebman Science Center. A gift to the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation, the exhibit features more than 260 original fine art prints and drawings of notable African-Americans throughout history. The collection was donated by Mary and Charles Liebman. The college is at 8900 U.S. 14 in Crystal Lake. For more information, call Sandra Lang, gallery curator, at 815-455-8785 or email her at slang@mchenry.edu.

A painting of jazz musician Duke Ellington is on display as part of “Portrait in Print Collection.”

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Groundhog? Woodchuck?

Woodstock merchants report four-day festival was great for business By Susan W. Murray

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Groundhog Days 2020 attendees could toast the groundhog with a vodka-based Punxsutawney Punch or a gin-infused Saw His Shadow at D.C. Cobb’s, not to mention the bourbony Woodchuck Berry Smash at Winestock. But the perfect cocktail, according to Woodstock merchants, was the pairing of a Sunday with mild weather and an added dash of Hollywood glitz. The last came courtesy of the premiere of the “Groundhog Day”-themed Jeep ad, filmed in Woodstock just a week prior for airing during the Super Bowl. It all added up to a weekend that several merchants termed “phenomenal.” The city of Woodstock compiles monthly sales tax reports and figures, but those figures can’t isolate one weekend, said Garrett Anderson, the city’s

director of Economic Development. The anecdotal evidence suggests, however, that the groundhog’s shadow is catching up with the big man himself – a certain S. Claus – in generating revenue for local merchants. “The store is much, much busier than any of our other weekends,” said Arlene Lynes, owner of Read Between the Lynes. “Groundhog Days is our top revenue-producing weekend so far.” Down 2 Earth owner Nina Huffman compared the traffic in her store to that of the Lighting of the Square on the Friday evening after Thanksgiving. “We opened at 7 a.m. on Sunday,” Huffman said. “People were here at 7:10.”

Extended hours, extra staff

While most stores and restaurants kept to their regular hours for the Thursday-through-Saturday festival, Jan. 31-Feb. 2, Woodstock Square merchants, like Huffman, opened early on Sunday to take advantage of the crowds that showed up for Woodstock Willie’s 7:07 weather forecast.

Black Oak Home and Haven coowner Chris Galloway placed a sign on the Square pointing people to her Throop Street vintage and home goods store with an advertised opening time of 8 a.m. on Sunday. “I could have been open at 7,” said Galloway, who ended up unlocking her door at 7:30 for those who had already gathered outside. “It was fabulous,” she said. “They were buying a little bit of everything – furniture, candles, and signs.” To handle the press of customers, most stores had extra staff on hand. “The staff knows when they are hired that they will be working [on Groundhog Day],” Lynes said. This was the second year that Lynes had seven volunteers from Naperville’s Sourcebook Publishing come to assist her employees, as well as volunteer staff from the community. “The past two years, I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them,” Lynes said. Merchants described a great See CASH COW Page 17

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Presented by: Kim Keefe REALTOR® 110 1/2 N Benton St, Woodstock, IL 60098 815-333-0014 • 815.790.4852 (call or text) Kim@TeamOpenDoors.com

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INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Winestock owner Mike Levitan poses with Winestock Wilson during the Wine Walk sponsored by the D200 Education Foundation during the Groundhog Days festival.

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office from Dec. 31 to Jan. 15 . ■ Residence at 10515 Deerpath Road, Woodstock, was sold by The Bruce F. Wadas and Belinda A. Wadas Revocable Living Trust, Altamonte Springs, Fla., to Peter G. Reece and Teresa S. Reece, Woodstock, for $485,000. ■ Residence at 255 Ridgewood Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Elm Street Homes LLC, El Segundo, Calif., to Elliott R. Clinge, Woodstock, for $175,000. ■ Residence at 4124 W. Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake, was sold by Jeremy J. Tilling, McHenry, to Christopher D. Wehrman, Chicago, for $135,000. ■ Residence at 8620 Castleberry Drive, Woodstock, was sold by The Wendy L. Stefan Revocable Trust, Glenview, to Gregory LeFevre, Woodstock, for $362,500. ■ Residence at 1833 Wicker St., Woodstock, was sold by Barbara T. Burda, Woodstock, to Timothy J. Burkhardt, Woodstock, for $195,000. ■ Residence at 2015 Greenview Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Doug R. and Christine M. Hardin, Canonsburg, Pa., to Enrique Garcia, Woodstock, for $233,000. ■ Residence at 634 Oak St., Woodstock, was sold by Merritt Best LLC, McHenry, to Matthew Frank, Woodstock, for $116,900. ■ Residence at 2563 Verdi St., Woodstock, was sold by Maples at The Sonatas LLC, Burr Ridge, to Leon A. and Linda L. Waksmundzki, Woodstock, for $318,188. ■ Residence at 2265 Preswick Lane, Woodstock, was sold by D.R. Horton Inc., Vernon Hills, to Gianna M. Elbert, Woodstock, for $249,990.

Feb. 12-18, 2020

Cash cow for sure

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Feb. 12-18, 2020

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Breakfast reservation for 4,000? Local restaurants feed the multitudes during Groundhog Days fest By Susan W. Murray

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Under the heading of a good problem to have, the Groundhog Day prognostication draws thousands to the Woodstock Square each Feb. 2. The “official” breakfast at the Moose Lodge can accommodate a little over 200 people and routinely sells out. But where do you send the thousands of others who are ready to sit down, warm up, and celebrate with a large breakfast? This year several Woodstock restaurants put together a breakfast menu for the first time to help feed the postprognostication crowd. Now comfortably ensconced in their newly renovated and larger building on Cass Street, Ethereal Confections offered a breakfast menu of cocoa nib sausage, bacon, scrambled eggs, roasted potatoes, pastries, biscuits, and breads, served with coffee and mimosas. The cafe sold tickets in advance on its website, and patrons could also pay at the door. Ethereal opened at 6 a.m. on Sunday with extra staff on hand to handle the crowds coming in for hot drinks and pastries. Co-owner Mary Ervin said the café served the full breakfast to 90 people. An additional 50 visited the Speakeasy to toast the groundhog with Jim Beam and water on the rocks. Taqueria La Placita owner Edgardo Urbina opened his restaurant at 7 a.m. on Sunday to serve “lots of eggs,” the only day of the year that the restaurant is open for breakfast. “Saturday sales were 20 percent over normal,” Urbina said. “Sunday was way over.” Normally beginning the business day at 1 p.m., Winestock opened at 6 a.m. on Groundhog Day to serve a continental buffet, along with mimosas, Bloody Marys, and the Woodstock Berry Smash, made with bourbon, muddled blackberries, berry juice, and lime. The wine bar closed at 2:30 p.m. “We couldn’t keep our eyes open any longer,” general manager Mark Petty said.

Groundhog Day again

Some restaurants on the Square are old hands at the Groundhog Day breakfast drill. After the prognostication, the line to get inside the Public House stretched out the door, to the sidewalk, and over

PHOTO PROVIDED

Thomas Teresi, owner of the The Double Yolk Café in Woodstock, poses with “Groundhog Day” actors Brian Doyle-Murray and Bill Murray while the actors were in town to shoot a TV commercial Jan. 25. The Groundhog Days festival the next weekend was a boon to restaurants and other businesses around the Square and beyond. to Jackson Street. Some were lined up for the Sunday buffet, while others were waiting to drink a toast to world peace, employee Melissa Krause said. Four hundred people drank to world peace in the bar where the “world peace” scene was filmed for “Groundhog Day,” exhausting the Public House’s supply of Groundhog Day shot glasses. Patrons paid $7 for a shot of sweet vermouth inside a souvenir glass. For the fourth year in a row, the Main Street Pour House opened its doors at 6 a.m. to serve bacon, sausage, scrambled eggs, pancakes, potatoes, fresh fruit, and brownie bites. Owner Eloy Pablo said the restaurant served 150 people, finishing up at 11 a.m.

‘Non-stop’ business

The Double Yolk Cafe owner Thomas Teresi said that “business the whole weekend was phenomenal.” The restaurant opened at 6 a.m on Sunday, one hour early, and had 10 tables occupied shortly thereafter. Eventually, the waiting list for a table grew to eight pages. Teresi took patrons’ cellphone numbers and directed them to the Opera House and the Cherry Tree Inn to pass the time while they waited, some for up to an hour. “Nobody complained,” Teresi said. “Everybody understood that it was busy.” Business was no less brisk in eateries with counter service. “Madness, absolute madness,” said Jessi Owensby, Starbucks shift manager, of Sunday morning conditions.

By 9 a.m., the coffeehouse had done 50 percent of its predicted business for the day, Owensby said. Lauren Hamilton and her Sugar Circle staff got to the bakery at 1 a.m. to begin preparing for the hungry crowd. At 5:30 a.m., the doors opened for people to buy breakfast sandwiches, cupcakes, Groundhog Day cookies, and cinnamon rolls. “The line was for the cinnamon rolls,” Hamilton said. “If we were out, they ordered a bagel sandwich.” By the end of the morning, there was nothing left to buy. After a “very good” Saturday, Cesaroni’s co-owner Brad Cesaroni said, “it was insane, non-stop on Sunday.” Cesaroni said the sandwich shop served people from all over, including many speaking a foreign language. Even with a full staff on hand, “we had a line to the door for an hour after the prognostication,” Cesaroni said. For those who were hungry by midmorning, Chillie Willie’s was serving a “Groundhog Sundae,” topped with a groundhog cookie. Patrons could also play bingo and visit Mrs. Beasley’s candy counter. “It was wonderful. We had a great time,” owner Chrissy Huelsman said. Groundhog Days Committee Chairman Rick Bellairs said that with the four-day festival having grown so big, the committee appreciated the community support. “We are happy to see so many businesses opening early to host our visitors from far and wide,” Bellairs said.

REAL ESTATE

Continued from Page 15

■ Industrial building at 940 Dieckman St., Woodstock, was sold by JDL Group LLC, Union, to J2 Group LLC, Crystal Lake, for $480,000. ■ Residence at 1882 Sebastian Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Andrew J. Kaney, Little Canada, Minn., to Christina Flores, Woodstock, for $110,000. ■ Residence at 13215 Hickory Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Samantha Baker, Woodstock, to Maria and J. Refugio Bonilla, Woodstock, for $100,000. ■ Residence at 8431 Stillwater Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by Ronald Herman, Woodstock, to Steven J. Corradi, Wonder Lake, for $136,000. ■ Commercial building at 1055 Wanda Lane, Woodstock, was sold by JA Midwest Properties LLC, Marengo, to Clark Ashby Property LLC, Woodstock, for $340,000. ■ Commercial building at 1055 Wanda Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Omar LCC, Marengo, to Clark Ashby Property, LLC, Woodstock, for $85,000. ■ Residence at 1620 E. Halma Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Frank A. Eltvedt, Crystal Lake, to Alex M. Shannon, Woodstock, for $212,000. ■ Residence at 8917 Pine Ave., Wonder Lake, was sold by Michael A. Iwanicki, Wonder Lake, to James R. Patrick, Wonder Lake, for $126,000. ■ Vacant land, approximately 87 acres, located on Miller Road and Allendale Road in Greenwood Township, was sold by The Crabtree Family Limited Partnership, Palatine, to The Christopher G. Dahm Trust, Wonder Lake, for $630,844. ■ Residence at 418 Marawood Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Sally C. Welter, Huntley, to Renato and Helena Kukic, Woodstock, for $320,000. ■ Vacant land on First and Clay streets, Woodstock, was sold by First and Clay LLC, Barrington, to The Chicago Trust Company, Chicago, for $1,500,000. ■ Residence at 1289 Thomas Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Margaret Maher, Woodstock, to Dale Lindahl, Woodstock, for $93,500. ■ Residence at 325 Ridgeland Ave., Woodstock, was sold by Jon Russell, Woodstock, to Timothy Liebetrau, Woodstock, for $132,000. ■ Residence at 1336 N. Madison St., Woodstock, was sold by The Margarethe Riesinger Revocable Trust Number One, Elkhorn, Wis., to Joshua and Amari Iwanski, Woodstock, for $128,750. ■ Residence at 802 S. Jefferson St., Woodstock, was sold by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, D.C., to Maria Kordopitoulas, Woodstock, for $130,000.

Continued from Page 15

weekend for sales, with Sunday in a category by itself. “Saturday was good,” said Ken West, owner of Material Things. “Sunday was very good.”

Groundhog goods supply low

While many marvel at the international tourists who come for Groundhog Days – from Canada, England, and Germany this year – it’s those who come from the surrounding communities who are particularly valuable to local merchants. “It brings in people from all over,” said Nina Huffman’s dad, Bill, who helps out at Down 2 Earth, “especially people from the suburbs who we know will come back.” “We sold a lot of small, knick-knack stuff,” said Kyle Busse, Bike Haven’s shop manager. Even better, according to Busse, “We did talk to a lot of people about bikes.” At Black Oak Home and Haven, some customers will be returning out of necessity. “We have people coming back to pick up furniture,” Galloway said. Arlene Lynes has been watching the Groundhog Days phenomenon for 15 years. “We see people all year who mention that they were in town for Groundhog Day,” Lynes said.

Beyond the Square

While the Square is the epicenter of Groundhog Days events, the economic

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

More than 20 teams entered the Groundhog Days bags tourney hosted by Ortmann’s Tavern. Kenneth Pitts and Alex Menke compete while using the snow to keep the drinks cold. each day. “People were here waiting for us at 9:45,” Schipferling said.

Can we do it again?

Out of pure exhaustion, most Woodstock merchants probably would not

wish for Groundhog Day to repeat itself over and over again. Even so, many expressed the same thought as Patti Zasada, owner of Soul Focus. “I wish,” Zasada said, “we could have something like that every month.”

MARKETPLACE

‘We’ll be back’

Feb. 12-18, 2020

Those who didn’t snap up groundhog-themed merchandise during the weekend celebration will find slim pickings now. Read Between the Lynes sold out of most groundhog-themed books, as well as all of their adult sizes of longsleeved Groundhog Day T-shirts. The Public House sold 77 “I always drink to world peace” sweatshirts – at $45 each – with just a few left in large and extra-large sizes. “We ended up closing early on Sunday because we had run out of groundhog merchandise,” said Gregg Hanson, co-owner of The Backdrop While her brother talked, co-owner Lisa Hanson rolled up a last Groundhog Eye Chart poster to ship to a woman in Nashville, who had arrived home from Woodstock only to find that the poster she had purchased got wrinkled and ripped in her suitcase. When she called The Backdrop on Tuesday, the store told her they would replace the poster for free. “She told me that Woodstock stole her heart,” Lisa Hanson said.

impact radiates out. Tim Shabani, owner of Sophie’s Whiskey and Wine lounge, reported “a good weekend.” Although the distillery had plenty of regular, repeat customers, Shabani felt it was fair to say that out-of-towners contributed to the weekend’s business. The dining room of the McDonald’s restaurant on Eastwood Drive has been closed for a remodel, while the drivethru remains open. “You definitely see the spike in business,” owner Susan Singleton said. Singleton reported brisk sales in coffee and fountain drinks. The No. 1 seller? The Sausage McMuffin with Egg for Sunday’s breakfast crowd. Meredith Schipferling, a manager at the Roscoe Woodstock Antique Mall on Lake Avenue, said the store does not carry one groundhog-themed item. Still, she said, “We sold a big variety of things all weekend,” many to out-oftowners who were staying at the Best Western and Super 8 motels nearby. The antique mall opens at 10 a.m

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Community

Feb. 12-18, 2020

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INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY TRICIA CARZOLI

“Phil?” Actor Stephen Tobolowsky (as Ned Ryerson) signals to a passing vehicle driven by Bill Murray (as Phil Connors) during the shooting of a Jeep commercial in Woodstock. The driver was actually Murray’s stunt double, Rick LeFevour of Woodstock.

Reunion in Woodstock

Tobolowsky, Murray re-create ‘Groundhog Day’ magic during filming of commercial By Tricia Carzoli

the same, and his wardrobe – he had five coats from which to choose, and a poorly fitting hat. What he could not plan for, however, was the freshly fallen snow. In new leather-soled shoes, the actor was sliding all over the cobblestones, so the director removed his own ice cleats and put them on Tobolowsky. After the actor had better traction, and he started vocalizing some of his famous lines, a flood of memories came over him – and his co-star Bill Murray. “At one point, Bill and I looked at each other and he said, ‘I think I’m having an out-of-body experience,’” Tobolowsky recalled.

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Stephen Tobolowsky, known affectionately as “Needlenose” Ned Ryerson of “Groundhog Day” fame, revisited the cobblestones that gave rise to iconic scenes at Ned’s Corner at Cass and Benton streets, reprising his role for a Jeep commercial. “It was a unique feeling,” Tobolowsky said, “being back in similar costumes and being there where it had all began.” Jeep representatives said they worked to remain true to the original movie as they prepared the 60-second spot for the Super Bowl. “Authenticity was at the very core of this project,” said Randy Ortiz, head of Jeep brand advertising. “The Jeep brand wanted to film the commercial in the same location as the original 1993 film starring Bill Murray. This was not just critical from the brand’s perspective, but also to Bill and his brother, Brian Doyle-Murray, who also starred in the original ‘Groundhog Day’ film as the mayor.” For Tobolowsky, authenticity came

No script to follow

Tobolowsky is fitted with ice cleats for traction on Woodstock’s ice-covered cobblestone streets. in the form of the Woodstock setting, which has remained relatively

The brief reunion also was a lastminute reunion. Tobolowsky said he was alerted to the possibility of filming a commercial just one week ahead of time – and was given no direction other than his manager telling him to study his character from the original film. “They told me to study my hand

gestures [from the movie],” he said, “but I didn’t know if we could use some of the iconic lines like ‘bing’ or, really, anything.” There was no script, he said, though a story board roughed out the scenes in sequence. “I was basically told, ‘Bill and Stephen [will] re-create first scene,’” Tobolowsky said, “and I thought, ‘We haven’t done this in 30 years.’” But the two fell right in step. “I was coming up with all those lines – ‘bing’ and ‘I dated your sister Mary Beth,’” Tobolowsky said. “And Bill came in and looked at what we were doing and said, ‘We can do it better.’” So they did. “[Director] Harold [Ramis] used to say that there was a difference between improv and ad lib,” Tobolowsky said. “Improv is preparation – you know the situation and perform the lines. Ad lib, you just say what you want in the moment. Bill and I ad libbed here. … There is vitality in ad lib.” The interaction worked out well. Though Tobolowsky had visited See REUNION, Page 19

Continued from Page 18

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEEP

separate times, so he enjoyed meeting up with Murray. Shooting together in person was “nice,” he said. “I think that standing in those places again, there were just memories over and over,” he said, “but the memories were all good – and I think that is rare.” He acknowledged his character, Ned Ryerson,20made an impact far larger

off the walking trail he drove on, made the job more exciting for him, but the results were what Jeep was looking for.

Woodstock provided ‘charm’

Since the movie, Tobolowsky had not worked with Murray. Although each worked on the animated film “Garfield,” each actor recorded his lines at

Woodstock

Jan. 15-21, 20

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• thewoodstockindependent.com KNowswhat’s happening SUBSCRIBE: 815.338.8040 e it t s a C rebecca@thewoodstockindependent.com IN WOODSTOCK EVERY WEEK! Die n 671 E. Calhou St., IL k, Woodstoc 60098 Phone: 815-338-8040

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Bill Murray as Phil Connors plays a game of Whack A Mole while an interested Poppy the groundhog watches. The scene for the Jeep commercial was filmed in a studio set built at Richardson Farm.

Feb. 12-18, 2020

Woodstock since the movie was filmed in 1992, it was widely assumed that this was the first time Murray had returned. Rick LeFevour of Woodstock, a stuntman and owner of Midwest Stunts in Chicago, reprised his role as Murray’s body double. “I was surprised at how much he remembered,” LeFevour said of Murray. “We grabbed tacos at El Niagara, and he was disappointed that Swiss Maid Bakery was gone. He used to get doughnuts there every morning.” When Murray filmed in Woodstock 28 years ago, he walked around like a regular, LeFevour recalled. Though Murray garnered more attention this time around, “he seemed to have a good time,” LeFevour observed. “It was nice to just sit and talk with him and reconnect.” Being Murray’s stunt double was not without reward. On the Square and at Chain O’ Lakes State Park, LeFevour drove the orange Jeep Gladiator that the company commercial was promoting. “You get the chance to drive a brandnew Jeep in the snow,” LeFevour said, clearly in his element. “Now that is fun.” It was not easy, however. Snow and icy conditions, along with steep ravines

than he could have imagined. “But I think it speaks to the impact people can make – people are unaware of the impact they can make,” he said. “You know, I think [director] Harold Ramis wanted a comedy, but it was a film about consequences, and the choices we make. Ramis was a Buddhist, so this is kind of a spiritual piece. There was frustration in Phil [Connors] until he found [he was there to serve others].” Tobolowsky also enjoyed the final product for Jeep. “I thought the commercial was delightful,” he said. “It was very loving – and it doesn’t usurp the memories we have from before. It honored the movie. … I think even Harold would approve.” Jeep’s Ortiz said location was key to the ad. “Filming in Woodstock played an absolutely vital role to the commercial’s success,” he said. “When people see some of the commercial’s scenes and recognize them as being in the same location as the movie, we hope that it brings back fond memories of an absolutely iconic film.” For Tobolowsky, Woodstock holds a special place in his heart. “I’ve worked in many places all over the world,” he said. “Woodstock is the one place I keep coming back to. It is the charm of the city, and the charm of the people.”

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

REUNION

COMMUNITY

Feb. 12-18, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

It was the ‘perfect’ honeymoon German couple have a Groundhog Day history

By Tricia Carzoli

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

People come from all corners of the world to enjoy Groundhog Days in Woodstock, and this year was no different. Michael Kuehn and Silke Goessling of Berlin, Germany, flew in to celebrate their first anniversary. “We both loved the movie,” Goessling said. “We found out that our wedding anniversary was on Groundhog Day, and we wanted to come here.” Kuehn and Goessling flew in Friday night, Jan. 31, the second day of the annual four-day festival – just in time to attend the Moose Lodge Dinner Dance. They danced as best they could in their traveling clothes as their luggage had been lost. But they were wearing their wedding rings. The movie was so dear to the couple that they inscribed their rings with an Andie MacDowell line from the movie: “You asked me to stay, so I stayed.” It was clear that Woodstock was the perfect place for a honeymoon. The two met in 1995, began dating on Feb. 2, 1997, and married on Feb. 2, 2019. Groundhog Day isn’t heavily celebrated in Germany, so despite the fact that the couple have watched “Groundhog Day” every year, they just realized that their anniversary falls on the observance of the same name. The two attended a movie viewing at Classic Cinemas and went on the

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Germans Silke Goessling and Michael Kuehn drink a toast to world peace at the Public House in Woodstock. The couple celebrated their first anniversary in the town where the “Groundhog Day” was filmed. walking tour led by Bob Hudgins, locations director for the 1993 movie. They had their photo taken with Woodstock Willie. They attended the prognostication; drank to world peace; ate the official breakfast at the Moose Club; listened to Hudgins, Rick LeFevour, and Kimberly Miller Clancy speak at the Opera House; and danced in the bandstand in the Park in the Square. It was a full weekend for the couple, but they wouldn’t have had it any other way.

“We just enjoyed Woodstock,” Kuehn said. “One weekend was too short for a trip to the United States, so we will go to Michigan and Toronto and then on to Punxatawny [Pa.], but the most important part of our trip was Woodstock – and it has been the best.” “Everyone has been so nice,” Goessling added. “People asked where we were going on our honeymoon and wondered why we picked this small town of Woodstock, but we knew this would be perfect – and it was.”

IN BRIEF

GriefShare program set for 12 weeks at St. Mary

From March 5 through May 21, St. Mary Parish is offering a 12-week GriefShare support program (St. John Ministry) to help and encourage people who are mourning the death of a loved one. This program is a non-denominational Christ-centered network assisting more than 12,000 churches worldwide. A weekly video presentation is followed by discussion or simply listening to others. Participants will meet from 2 to 3:45 p.m. each Thursday in the conference room of the Conway Center. Each session is “selfcontained,” so participants do not have to attend in sequence. A $15 registration fee includes the cost of the workbook for personal reflection. To register, call the St. Mary parish office at 815-338-3377.

Genealogist to explain preserving life stories

“Life Stories: Why Write Yours,” a presentation by genealogy and life story expert Curt Witcher, will be from 6 to 7:50 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 18, in room A221 at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. 14, Crystal Lake. According to a news release, Witcher teaches attendees how to develop their own story into something durable and long-lasting. He will explain how to easily find reliable sources, build information, and use the power of photographs to preserve and protect this information for future generations. Witcher is the director of special collections at the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne, Ind. The course costs $19 to attend. Interested students can register by calling 815-455-8588 or by visiting mchenry.edu/mymcc and using course code #NPH S44 001.

Find true value of treasure at annual Appraisal Day

A Groundhog Days visit to Woodstock for Silke Goessling and Michael Kuehn of Berlin, Germany, had to include a dance on the bandstand at the Park in the Square.

The eighth annual Antique Appraisal Day at the McHenry County Historical Society & Museum will be from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29, at the museum, 6422 Main St., Union. To reserve a 10-minute slot for your treasure, call the museum at 815-923-2267. Advance registration runs through Friday, Feb. 21. The cost is $8 for each object with a maximum of three appraisals a person. Individual museum admission is included with a paid registration.

WILLIE’S CHILI WINNERS

21 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Last-minute arrangement for TV filming at Richardson By Tricia Carzoli

See RICHARDSON, Page 22

COMMUNITY

Richardson Adventure Farm at Spring Grove was the location of choice for the Jeep commercial’s bedand-breakfast scenes, the fireworks scene, the snowshoeing scene, and the Whack A Mole scene. “The McHenry County Farm Bureau suggested us,” said George Richardson, part-owner of the farm. “And my son Ryan walked them through the location, and they liked it.” Richardson had the space that Highdive Advertising Agency was looking for. The barn could hold the 90-member crew, including craft services, lighting and sound technicians, electricians and food; the facility had ample restrooms; and had event space, which usually houses 150 guests for private

Feb. 12-18, 2020

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER

Barbara Nielsen and Kristin Theerman won the Groundhog Days chili cookoff, being the first contestants to run out of chili at the public tasting at the Moose Lodge. Woodstock Willie poses with the winners at the Moose Lodge, where the cookoff was held.

PICTURE THIS

An interior photo of Ray Wolf Jewelers store on Main Street in the late 1950s is shown. Interior display cases show silver, tableware, candlesticks, and platters. Wolf acquired the business from Schwabe Jewelers in 1949. The store was remodeled and several major product lines of silver, china, crystal, and leather goods were added. Ray Wolf Jewelers was sold to Bruce Lewellyn in 1984.

Don Peasley Photo Collection, McHenry County Historical Society

Antiques Appraisal Day will be presented by the McHenry County Historical Society (6422 Main St., Union) from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 29. Verbal appraisal of items will include dolls, quilts, china, glass, toys, books, modern and antique jewelry, art, and general antiques. Reserve a 10-minute slot in advance by calling the museum at 815-923-2267 by Feb. 21. Preregistration cost is $8 for each item with a maximum of three appraisals per individual; $10 for each walk-in item during the event. The appraisal fee includes free admission to the museum.

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

COMMUNITY

Feb. 12-18, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

RICHARSON

Continued from Page 21

functions and corporate groups. “It was quite last-minute,” Richardson said. According to Richardson, a madeto-order headboard was created in Chicago, the right wallpaper pattern was digitized and sent from California, a giant 20-foot tube for moonlight was brought in, and the Jeep Gladiator came from Michigan. The entire commercial came together in a week. “They used a 20-square-foot space and built the Cherry Tree Inn,” Richardson said. “And they had the cameras and other things outside of the space. It was really neat to see it all happening.” The location manager also sought another 15-square foot space they could use. “The crew went to Elk Grove Village,” Richardson said. “They went to get a Whack A Mole machine, and they brought it back here, and they covered it up with plywood to cover the logos – so they could make it look the way they needed it. And they created that game room.”

About that snowshoe scene

While waiting for an alarm clock to work and the fog to clear, the crew took Murray outside and Richardson grabbed his snowshoes. That unscripted moment became one of the most endearing parts of the commercial. “I strapped them on Bill,”

PHOTO COURTESY OF JEEP

The fireworks scene from Jeep’s TV ad also was filmed at Richardson Adventure Farm in Spring Grove. Richardson said, “and gave him some pointers. He spent some time working on learning how to use them. But then he tried to go backward, which you can’t do, so he fell down.” Also prevalent on the grounds was Poppy, the now-famous rescue groundhog who was brought in, coincidentally, from Pennsylvania. “That really was the real groundhog in the baby carrier,” Richardson said of

the snow scene. “And Poppy was sitting in the toddler chair in the tent. She was great.” The parking lot remained an untouched, pristine blanket of snow until the crew was ready to shoot the fireworks scene. “It all worked out great,” Richardson said. “I think being able to use our facilities like this on an off-season is wonderful. I would love to do more of it.”

He also said that he wouldn’t mind the farm being associated with the commercial. Renowned for its largest corn maze, zip lines, picnic space, pumpkin patch, and Christmas tree farm, the site now will garner recognition as being essential to the No. 1 Super Bowl ad. “And working with Bill Murray,” Richardson said, “was kind of cool, too.”

Despite Civil War, romance bloomed Kirk Dawdy

Woodstock Library Column

In March1864, three long years into the Civil War, local soldiers of the 15th Illinois Infantry Regiment (Companies A, D, and F) returned to Woodstock and McHenry County on furlough, visiting friends, family, and sweethearts. Other soldiers from McHenry County, 95th Illinois Infantry Regiment, were not so lucky. The 95th was deep in Southern territory, and soldiers longed for home and loved ones. Alonzo B. Graves of Riley Township (southwest of Marengo) appeared to be particularly lonely.

In late January 1864, the Woodstock Sentinel published a letter it received from him. In it, Alonzo requested correspondence “with some good-looking and accomplished young lady of McHenry County.” He indicated he was searching for “true love and matrimony” but that he would also be open to what he described as “a mere pastime.” To sweeten the pot, Alonzo attempted to impress the ladies of McHenry County with some of his finer soldiering attributes, describing himself as “a young man who had never been in the hospital, never been wounded nor ever captured by the rebels.” Curiously, Alonzo signed his letter to the Sentinel A.B.G. It is possible he signed in this manner because genealogical records indicate that when he left for the war, he was a

married man. Whether or not Alonzo found true love through his Sentinel advertisement has been lost to history. A few months later, in early May 1864, the Woodstock Sentinel positively confirmed a McHenry County soldier’s love connection while he was “visiting” Woodstock. Jonathan Covey of the newly formed 17th Illinois Cavalry Regiment had recently been involved in a “fracas” in the village of McHenry. Subsequently, Covey was arrested, tried, and sent to the county jail in Woodstock. While incarcerated, the “amorous and pugilistic young soldier was smitten by the charms of a female” who was also confined in the jailhouse, Martha Allen, who was incarcerated for robbery. Soon after the couple had fallen in love, orders arrived from Covey’s commander requesting his release

to rejoin the 17th Cavalry in St. Charles. Covey became enraged and refused to leave his newfound love. A compromise was arranged. A marriage license was procured, and the newlyweds were given a fivehour honeymoon together – after which, Covey was sent back to his cavalry regiment. Covey returned safely from the war, and in 1867 the couple moved to Ohio, and soon after they gave birth to a son. Unfortunately, Martha died nine years later, in 1876. Jonathan remarried in 1882 and moved to Kansas. If you are in possession of Woodstock or McHenry County historical documents, images, or items or have documented stories to share with the Woodstock Public Library’s Local History Archives, please contact the library at History@WoodstockIL.info.

30 years ago – 1990

■ The committee appointed by the Woodstock Plan Commission to review the city’s comprehensive plan met for the first time. ■ The Woodstock High School varsity wrestling team won the IHSA Class AA Regional. Three Streaks claimed championships: John Rizzo, 135; Jeff Hulsey, 140; and Matt Shafer, 160. Eric Newton, Kurt Kyle, Jon Grell, and Erik Tonge took seconds, and Tim Zimmerman and Kurt Bensen each finished third. All eight advanced to the sectionals.

25 years ago – 1995

■ John Lillie, CEO of Claussen Pickle, received the Harold Buschkopf Award for community service presented by the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce. ■ Woodstock School District 200 Board of Education member Julia Hansen was the only board member to oppose placing a $52.5-million building referendum before voters.

20 years ago – 2000

■ Diamond Exteriors closed it doors at 222 Church St., leaving about 80 workers without jobs. ■ The Woodstock City Council voted 3-1 to pledge $40,000 toward a year’s rent for the Challenger Learning Center if Woodstock were selected for its location. ■ Work had begun on The Willows, a facility on U.S. 14 north of Woodstock, which would be the new headquarters for the McHenry County Conservation District.

15 years ago – 2005

■ After more than an hour of debate over whether the city should approve more liquor licenses, the City Council approved one for Shop and Save, 991 McConnell Road.

10 years ago – 2010

■ Ethan Gustat and Liam Gries placed first and second in St. Mary School’s annual spelling bee. Gustat advanced to the Scripps Regional Spelling Bee. ■ Ivy Sagrado, Woodstock, won the Groundhog Days chili cook-off for the second consecutive year. Her recipe used beef and veal. Catherine Fletcher, also of Woodstock, took second with a recipe that included beef, pork, and sausage. Chuck Litts, representing Family Alliance, was the People’s

Choice winner. ■ Kmart and Hollywood Video announced they would close their Woodstock stores. Kmart, at 2235 S. Eastwood Drive, opened in 1951.

5 years ago – 2015

■ Cassandra Vohs-Demann, owner of A Place to Shine Music, had begun directing the Woodstock Community Choir. The initial choir included 37 singers, ages 19 to 75. “My goal was to have a community choir anyone could join,” Vohs-Demann said. ■ The Rebels basketball team of the Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association won the district tournament for Special Olympics and advanced to the state tournament for the first time since 2007. Of the nine players with special needs, ranging in age from 19 to 37, five were from Woodstock: Joseph Gomez, John Lipinski, Bobby Mitchell, Mackenzie Prudden, and Sam Wall. Also on the team was Benjamin Walkington, Bull Valley. ■ Tom Landers, who had been superintendent at Marian Central Catholic High School for 32 years and assistant principal two years before being named superintendent, announced he would retire June 30.

1 year ago – 2019

■ The City Council approved spending $14,000 for equipment that would allow the Opera House to show Royal National Theatre of London performances on a projection screen 22 feet wide and 12 feet high. The new programming was part of Opera House Director Daniel Campbell’s focus to expand offerings at the Opera House and make more use of the historic theater. ■ The City Council earmarked an additional $30,000 in hotel/motel money. Funding for the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce and Industry was tripled to $30,000, and the Woodstock Opera House got $40,000, up $10,000 from the previous year. ■ Cesaroni’s Café and Deli opened at 236 Main St. Brothers Brad and Brandon Cesaroni, wanting to own their own business, rehabbed the 1871 building to create the warm and inviting ambiance they wanted for their business. “We’re going to have the best sandwiches around here,” Brad Cesaroni said.

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COMMUNITY

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

Feb. 12-18, 2020

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

FLASHBACKS

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

RELIGION

COMMUNITY

Feb. 12-18, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Happenings

calendar

12 WEDNESDAY WOLF OAK WOODS WORKDAY

11900 Country Club Road 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org

YONDER PRAIRIE WORK DAY

8930 Route 120 9 a.m. to noon conservmc.org

Yonder Prairie 1150 S. Rose Farm Road 9 a.m. to noon conserveMC.org

MCDH GLUCOSE SCREENING

HABITAT RESTORATION BOGER BOG

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 5 to 7 p.m. 815-338-0542 woodstockpubliclibrary.org

SPANISH CONVERSATION GROUP Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 6 to 7 p.m. 815-338-0542 woodstockpubliclibrary.org

13 THURSDAY

JOB SEARCH WORKSHOP McHenry County Workforce Center 500 Russel Court 9:30 to 11 a.m. 815-338-7100 mchenrycountyworkforce.com

14 FRIDAY

FREE TAX HELP FOR SENIORS

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. Call 815-344-3555 to schedule an appointment woodstockpubliclibrary.org

15 SATURDAY WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET McHenry County Fairgrounds Building D

2399 S. Cherry Valley Road 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. mccdistrict.org 815-455-1537

16 SUNDAY YONDER PRAIRIE WORK DAY

Yonder Prairie 1150 S. Rose Farm Road 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. conserveMC.org

18 TUESDAY FREE TAX HELP FOR SENIORS

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. Call 815-344-3555 to schedule an appointment woodstockpubliclibrary.org

COFFEE AT THE CAFÉ

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

INTERVIEW WORKSHOP

McHenry County Workforce Center 500 Russel Court 1 to 2:30 p.m. 815-338-7100 workforcecenterRR@yahoo.com

mchenrycountyworkforce.com Reservation required

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

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

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

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

SPANISH CONVERSATION GROUP Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 6 to 7 p.m. 815-338-0542 woodstockpubliclibrary.org

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

To submit calendar items, email pr@thewoodstockindependent.com AARP SMART DRIVER COURSE

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 10 to 2 p.m. $15 AARP members, $20 non-members 815-338-0542 Two-day course. Must also attend Feb. 21. woodstockpubliclibrary.org

KIWANIS WOODSTOCK MEETING

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

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

STRESS MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

McHenry County Workforce Center 500 Russel Court 1 to 2:30 p.m. 815-338-7100 workforcecenterRR@yahoo.com mchenrycountyworkforce.com Reservation required

MURDER & MAYHEM BOOK CLUB

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 7 p.m. 815-338-0542 woodstockpubliclibrary.org

21 FRIDAY

FREE TAX HELP FOR SENIORS

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St.

Resurrection Catholic Church

Call 815-344-3555 to schedule an appointment woodstockpubliclibrary.org

AARP SMART DRIVER COURSE

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 10 to 2 p.m. $15 AARP members, $20 non-members 815-338-0542 Two-day course. Must also attend Feb. 20. woodstockpubliclibrary.org

22 SATURDAY READ TO A DOG

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 2 p.m. 815-338-0542 woodstockpubliclibrary.org

23 SUNDAY

MAKE BLANKETS FOR PROJECT LINUS Unity Spiritual Center of Woodstock 225 W. Calhoun St. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. RSVP at UnityWoodstock.org

24 MONDAY

CITIZENS’ CLIMATE LOBBY PROGRAM Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. 7 p.m. mchenryccl@gmail.com

25 TUESDAY FREE TAX HELP FOR SENIORS

Woodstock Public Library 414 W. Judd St. Call 815-344-3555 to schedule an appointment woodstockpubliclibrary.org

2918 South Country Club Road Woodstock, IL 60098

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

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

MUSIC

woodstockfarmersmarket.org

THE STAGE LEFTOVERS Feb. 12, 26, 7 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. woodstockoperahouse.com

Feb. 14, 8 p.m. Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. $25 A seating, $20 B seating woodstockoperahouse.com

OPEN MIC NIGHT

Feb. 15, 8 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. $18 815-338-5300

THE CORNER BOYS

SEAMUS EGAN PROJECT Feb. 15, 8 p.m. Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. $26 A seating, $23 B seating woodstockoperahouse.com

ORIGINAL OPEN MIC

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET

McHenry County Fairgrounds Building D Feb. 15, 9 a.m. Guyz With Bad Eyez, 11 a.m. Courtney and Chris

Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. $5 donation offsquaremusic.org 815-338-5164

JAZZ NIGHT

Feb. 21, 8 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. $5 donation

‘GISELLE’ BOLSHOI BALLET CINEMA BROADCAST

Feb. 23, 2 p.m. Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. $18 adults, $15 senior citizens, $13 students and groups of 20 or more woodstockoperahouse.com

Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. $15 offsquaremusic.org

MOVIES

THE PRADO MUSEUM - A COLLECTION OF WONDERS

Feb. 13, 7 p.m. Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. $18 adults, $15 senior citizens, $13 students and groups of 20 or more woodstockoperahouse.com

‘TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD’ - OSCAR FILM

THEATER

‘ARSENIC & OLD LACE’

Feb.13, 14, 15, 7 p.m. Feb.15, 2 p.m. Woodstock North High School Auditorium 3000 Raffel Road $5 students, seniors; $10 adults 815-334-2193 seatyourself.biz/woodstocknorth

‘MATILDA’

SPOKEN WORD

SPOKEN WORD CAFÉ Feb. 15, 7 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St.

LECTURE

CREATIVE LIVING: MARY ZIMMERMAN – STAGING THE IMPOSSIBLE: VISUAL METAPHOR IN ADAPTATION FOR THE THEATRE Feb. 20, 10 a.m. Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. $25 woodstockoperahouse.com

e v o L to get new customers? March 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 8 p.m. March 8, 14, 15, 21, 22, 2 p.m.

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FEBRUARY TOTAL MARKET EDITION!

Our Total Market Edition Is Like Direct Mail Advertising – Only Better! People keep it • People read it • People use it We are Woodstock - Your news, your business, your community. Woodstock, Bull Valley & Wonder Lake Weekly print & digital editions

Daily website ads

ADVERTISING DEADLINE: FEB. 13, 2020 @ NOON

ADVERTISE WITH US!

Jen Wilson: 815.701.9258 • jen@thewoodstockindependent.com Katy O’Brien: 815.701.9268 • katy@thewoodstockindependent.com

COMMUNITY

Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m. Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. offsquaremusic.org $5 donation

Feb. 29, 8 p.m. Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. $20 woodstockoperahouse.com

Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. $38 Presented by Theatre 121 woodstockoperahouse.com

Feb. 12-18, 2020

DAVE HALSTON’S VALENTINE TRIBUTE TO SINATRA

SECOND SATURDAY CONCERT SERIES

MISSISSIPPI HEAT WITH LURRIE BELL

Feb. 20, 7 p.m. Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. $7 woodstockoperahouse.com

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

entertainment

SERIES

jazzonthesquare.com

CLASSIFIEDS

Feb. 12-18, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Deadline: NOON Thursday for next week’s issue

Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT CLASSIFIED ADS The

ILLINOIS CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING NETWORK

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

TRAINING/EDUCATION

WANTED TO BUY

AIRLINE CAREERS FOR NEW YEAR - BECOME AN AVIATION MAINTENANCE TECH. FAA APPROVED TRAINING. FINANCIAL AID IF QUALIFIED - JOB PLACEMENT ASSISTANCE. CALL AIM 800-481-8312

Freon Wanted: We pay CA$H for cylinders and cans. R12 R500 R11 R113 R114. Convenient. Certified Professionals. Call 312-598-1758 or visit RefrigerantFinders.com

OVER 70? SINGLE? MALE/FEMALE? FORGET THE INTERNET – Northern ICANS - Run Greet in person!

Date Week of 2/9/2020

1st get together Valentine’s Day, Feb.14 2-5 P.M.

1501 Thompson Road, Woodstock SEE YOU THERE SENIOR SINGLES!

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE!

YOUR AD HERE

YOUR AD COULD BE HERE! CALL 815-338-8040

We Are Woodstock!

Your news, your business, your community

KNow what’s happening

IN WOODSTOCK EVERY WEEK!

@thewoodstockindependent

serving Woodstock for 32 years

CALL TODAY TO PLACE YOUR CLASSIFIED AD

Large Blocks are $80 per month Small Blocks are $20 per week CALL

815-338-8040

SERVICE DIRECTORY Small Blocks are $40 and Large Blocks are $80 for 4 weeks Call 815.338.8040 for details.

AC/HEATING

INSURANCE

CARPENTRY

27 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Deadline: NOON Thursday for next week’s issue

Feb. 12-18, 2020

Servicing the McHenry County and Woodstock Community for Over 100 Years!!

$40 for four weeks

HEALTH INSURANCE

ELECTRIC CONTRACTOR

Medicare Supplements! TURNING 65? OVER 65? FIND THE PLAN THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS Trudy L. Hayna Serving McHenry County for 30 Years We Offer All the Major Companies

Hayna Financial Services • 815-337-0011

YOUR AD HERE

$80 for four weeks GET YOUR

BUSINESS INFORMATION IN FRONT OF

LOCAL RESIDENTS!

CLASSIFIEDS

(815) 338-0282

YOUR AD YOUR AD HERE HERE

MENTION THIS AD FOR 10% OFF SERVICE CALL - Service upgrades Since - Repairs 1986 - Maintenance Residential - Commercial

Delaware Electric Co. Fully Licensed

815-338-3139

CALL 815-338-8040 TO PLACE YOUR AD $40 for 4 weeks TECHNOLOGY

$80 for four weeks

Your ad could be here! CALL 815-338-8040

$80 for four weeks LANDSCAPING

Expert Landscaping • Spring Clean-up • Lawn Service • Tree Service • Trimming, Edging, Mulch • Free Estimates

815-905-5852

YOUR AD HERE

PHYSICAL THERAPY

Dr. Molly Oakford, Physical Therapist No physician referral needed Medicare Provider

(815) 334-8850 www.oakfordphysicaltherapy.com

665 West Jackson St. Woodstock IL 60098

PUBLIC NOTICES

Feb. 12-18, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on JANUARY 17, 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: ALL IN WELLNESS located at 1411 COMMERCE DR SUITE E, ALGONQUIN IL 60102. Owner Name & Address: JASON KIRKHAM 19704 DUNHAM RD, WOODSTOCK IL 60098. Dated: JANUARY 17, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent January 29, 2020, February 5, 2020, February 12, 2020) L10978

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 22nd JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY PUBLICATION NOTICE OF COURT DATE FOR REQUEST FOR NAME CHANGE (ADULT) Request of Nicky Ray Herrig Case No. 20MR000070 There will be a court date on my Request to change my name from: Nicky Ray Herrig to the new name of: Nick Ray Herrig The court date will be held on April 21, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. at 2200 N. Seminary Ave. Woodstock, McHenry County in Courtroom # 201. Dated at Woodstock, IL, December 22, 2019 /s/Nicky Ray Herrig (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 5, 2020, February 12, 2020)L10979

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on JANUARY 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: IRON HORSE ANTIQUES located at 6705 CONNECTICUT TRAIL CRYSTAL LAKE IL 60012. Owner Name & Address: JAMES T MCARDLE AND DEBORAH J MCARDLE 6705 CONNECTICUT TRAIL CRYSTAL LAKE IL 60012. Dated: JANUARY 15, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 5, 2020, February 12, 2020)L10980

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on DECEMBER 27, 2019 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses

of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as: GORILLA MOVING COMPANY located at 1695 POWDER HORN DR. ALGONQUIN, IL 60102. Owner Name & Address: DARYN JERINIC 1695 POWDER HORN DR. ALGONQUIN, IL 60102. Dated: DECEMBER 27, 2019 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent January 29, 2020, February 5, 2020, February 12, 2020)L10981

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on JANUARY 17, 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: PRO TECH CARPET CLEANING located at 748 OAK ST Woodstock IL 60098. Owner Name & Address: GABRIEL GONZALEZ INIGUEZ AND ALBA GONZALEZ 748 OAK ST Woodstock IL 60098. Dated: JANUARY 17, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent January 29, 2020, February 5, 2020, February 12, 2020)L10982

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on JANUARY 29, 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: AWA REPS located at 12172 SOUTH RT 47, STE 106, HUNTLEY IL 60142. Owner Name & Address: AUSTIN C WENDT 11641 BARBERRY LN., HUNTLEY IL 60142. Dated: JANUARY 29, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 5, 2020, February 12, 2020)L10984

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on JANUARY 30, 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: JOHNSON JASPER located at 1830 CROFTON DRIVE ALGONQUIN, IL 60102. Owner Name & Address: LARRY L. JOHNSON 1830 CROFTON DRIVE ALGONQUIN, IL 60102. Dated: JANUARY 30, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 5, 2020, February

12, 2020)L10985

PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY-IN PROBATE Case No. 19PR000035 In the Matter of the Estate of SHIRLEY E. MATOUSH Deceased CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of SHIRLEY E. MATOUSH Of: WOODSTOCK, IL Letters of office were issued on: 1/28/2020 to: Representative: BABETTE ELLEN STEVENS 2511 MUSTANG TRL WOODSTOCK, IL 600989 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 February 5, 2020, February 12, 2020)L10986

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 22nd JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS THE OAKS OF PRAIRIE POINT CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, Plaintiff vs. THE ESTATE OF ANTHONY F. KALVA, UNKNOWN HEIRS & LEGATEES OF ANTHONY KALVA and UNKNOWN OCCUPANTS, Defendants. NO. 19 LM 694 NOTICE BY PUBLICATION The requisite Affidavit for Publication having been filed, notice is hereby given you, ESTATE OF ANTHONY F. KALVA and ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF ANTHONY F. KALVA, defendants in the above-entitled case, that the above-entitled Forcible Entry and Detainer action was filed on December 3, 2019 and is now pending. 1. The names of all Plaintiffs and the Case Number are identified above. 2. The Court in which said action was brought is identified above. 3. The name of the titleholder of record is ANTHONY F. KALVA. 4. A legal description of the real estate sufficient to identify it with reasonable certainty is as follows: PARCEL ONE: UNIT NUMBER 1382-1D

IN THE OAKS OF PRAIRIE POINT CONDOMINIUMS AS DELINEATED ON A SURVEY ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT “C” TO THE DECLARATION OF CONDOMINIUM RECORDED AS DOCUMENT NUMBER 2003R160893, TOGETHER WITH ITS UNDIVIDED PERCENTATE INTEREST IN THE COMMON ELEMENTS IDENTIFIED BY PERMANENT INDEX NO. 19-21-179-036 5. A common address of the real estate is as follows: 1382 Cunat Ct., #1D, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156 NOW, THEREFORE, unless you, ESTATE OF ANTHONY F. KALVA and ALL UNKNOWN HEIRS AND LEGATEES OF ANTHONY F. KALVA, Defendants, file your written Appearance in this action with the McHenry County Circuit Clerk, by the 6th day of March, 2020, a judgement by default may be entered against you in accordance with the prayer of the Complaint. Dated: 1/22/2020 /s/ Katherine M. Keefe, Clerk of Court PAUL A KRIEG Attorney No. 06194523 PAUL A. KRIEG, LTD Attorney for Plaintiff 226 W. Judd Street Woodstock, IL 60098 (815) 338-4909 kandw215@sbcglobal.net (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 12, 2020)L10987

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice of Self-Storage Sale Please take notice Red Dot Storage 6 - Woodstock located at 2105 S. Eastwood Dr., Woodstock, IL 60098 intends to hold an auction of the goods stored in the following units in default for non-payment of rent. The sale will occur as an online auction via www. storageauctions.com on 3/3/2020 at 9:30 am. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents are household goods and furnishings. Rena Guerra Unit #701; Paul Heilman Unit #518; Melinda Chapman Unit #704. 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 February 12, 2020)L10988

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on FEBRUARY 4, 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: UNITED STATES GUNFIRE DETECTION located at 246 LINCOLNSHIRE DRIVE, CRYSTAL LAKE IL 60014. Owner Name & Address: MICHAEL PHILPOT 246 LINCOLNSHIRE DRIVE, CRYSTAL LAKE IL 60014. Dated: FEBRUARY 4, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock

Independent February 12, 2020)L10989

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on FEBRUARY 6, 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: VIA Swimwear located at 4005 Springlake Ct Lake in the Hills, IL 60156. Owner Name & Address: Emily Mueller 4005 Springlake Ct Lake in the Hills, IL 60156. Dated: FEBRUARY 6, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 12, 2020)L10990

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT FOR THE TWENTY- SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT, MC HENRY COUNTY, 2200 NORTH SEMINARY AVENUE, WOODSTOCK, ILLINOIS Estate Of Linda Czok, Deceased. Case no. 20-P-09 Notice is given to creditors of the death of the above named decedent. Letters of office were issued to Nicole Czok, 324 Berkshire Ter., Roselle, IL 60172, as Independent Executor, whose attorney of record is Frank E. Stepnowski, 1515 N. Harlem Ave suite 205-2, Oak Park, IL 60302. The estate will be administered without court supervision, unless under section 5/28-4 of the Probate Act (755 ILCS 5/28-4) any interested person terminates independent administration at any time by mailing or delivering a petition to terminate to the clerk. Within 42 days after the effective date of the original order of admission you may file a petition with the court to require proof of the will by testimony of the witnesses to the will in open court or other evidence, as provided in section 5/6-21 of the Probate Act of 1975 (755 ILCS 5/6-21). Claims against the estate may be filed with the clerk or with the representative, or both, on or before August 12, 2020, or, if mailing or delivery of a notice from the representative is required by section 5/18-3 of the Probate Act, the date stated in that notice. Any claim not filed on or before that date is barred. Copies of a claim filed with the clerk must be mailed or delivered by the claimant to the representative and to the attorney within 10 days after it has been filed. E-filing is now mandatory for documents in civil cases with limited exemptions. To e-file, you must first create an account with an e-filing service provider. Visit http://efile. illinoiscourts. gov/service-providers.htm to learn more and to select a service provider. If you need additional help or have trouble e-filing, visit http://www. illinoiscourts. gov/FAQ/gethelp.asp. Frank E. Stepnowski, 1515 N. Harlem Ave suite 205-2, Oak Park, IL 60302 (708) 848-3662 (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 12, 2020)L10991

e v o L

downloads from our

photographers for only

COME SEE OUR LARGE INVENTORY OF STOCK CARPET ROLLS READY FOR IMMEDIATE INSTALL! Hours: Mon-Thurs 10-6, Fri 10-5, Sat 10-4 Sundays by appointment only Contractors Welcome! 2104 S. Eastwood Drive (Rt. 47) Woodstock, IL 815-334-5985

Pet Week

SAVING JUST ONE PET WON’T CHANGE THE WORLD BUT, SURELY, THE WORLD WILL CHANGE FOR THAT ONE PET.

“Andra”

3-month-old female

Special trusts have been set up by vendors and suppliers of the Woodstock Die Cast to pay asbestos victims:

If you ever worked at the Woodstock Die Cast, you may have been exposed to asbestos - and not even know, and have been diagnosed with Lung Cancer (even if you are a smoker) - or Esophageal, Laryngeal, Pharyngeal, Stomach, Colon, Rectal Cancer or Mesothelioma, or know someone who died from one of these cancers, call

1-800-478-9578 www.getnorris.com/asb

Nationwide Service

Birmingham, Alabama attorney Robert Norris helps injured claimants, nationwide, collect cash benefits from Asbestos Trusts. “No representation is made that the quality of legal services to be performed is greater than the quality of legal services performed by other lawyers.”

Mon-Th Sund C

of the

Lung Cancer • Other Cancers

If you ever worked at the Woodstock Die Cast before 1982 you may have been exposed to asbestos - and not even know it. You could be entitled to multiple cash settlements without going to court, filing a lawsuit, or even leaving your house.

Sta with Mu

2104 S. Eastwood Drive (Rt. 47) •

To see this pet or others or to volunteer to help walk dogs, call the shelter at:

815-338-4400 2500 Harding Lane, Woodstock

(Off Rt. 14 at the Lake Shore Dr. traffic light)

Based on the rumors she’s heard about Valentine’s Day, retriever-mix Andra thinks she’s probably the perfect mascot for the day. That’s because at only 3 months old, Andra is all about delivering love in kisses, cuddles, and all the many forms of puppy affection. Is there such a thing as too much love? Andra thinks not.

Woodstock Independent 2/12/2020

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