Woodstock Independent 2/24/2021 by Woodstock Independent

The

Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

Published every Wednesday | Est. 1987 | Serving Woodstock, Wonder Lake and Bull Valley, Ill. | www.thewoodstockindependent.com | $1.50

Woodstock-Mars connection WHS teacher part of team to build wheels for rover Perseverance By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

COMMUNITY

Cody O’Neill has new heart, new son, new lease on life PAGE 17

A&E

Sometime in the next several days, some 292.5 million miles from Earth, NASA’s Perseverance rover is expected to begin rolling over the reddish dust and dirt surface of Mars on wheels whose hubs were machined by an industrial tech teacher at Woodstock

High School. First-year teacher Austen Luedtke, 32, said he “absolutely” watched the one-ton rover the size of a small car as it was lowered onto the Red Planet last Thursday. “It actually gave me chills,” Luedtke said. “It’s a pretty cool thing to be a part of.” Of course, working on the aluminum

wheels of the heaviest rover the U.S. has sent to Mars was no school project. Luedtke was working at the time for Scot Forge in Spring Grove, which had a contract with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to make stronger, more durable wheels than those of four earlier rovers. The company had forged rings for wheels on an undisclosed See MARS, Page 2

LAST BLAST OF WINTER?

‘I love reading,’ says library’s 7-year-old reading champion

PAGE 13

BUSINESS

Dairy Queen’s new owners make treats a family business

PAGE 15

INDEX

Obituaries

Opinion

Schools

A&E

Business

Community

Calendar

Service Directory 26 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

After what many people hope is the last gasp of a snowy winter season, Greg Ammirati and Macy take a quiet Monday morning walk through Emricson Park in Woodstock.

You want to dig 30 wells where? By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

As progress on restoration of the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House moves toward new civic and commercial uses, public support might falter if contractors start digging up the northwest corner of the Park in the Square for a geothermal system for the historic buildings.

Even some members of the Woodstock City Council had concerns last week. Deputy Mayor Mike Turner, who will take the mayor’s seat in May, said he wanted the council to be kept up to date on disruptions such a project would cause in the downtown. Councilman Jim Prindiville expressed concern. “We don’t have enough information,”

Prindiville said. “This can’t be a theoretical project or a textbook project that somebody is planning for us and says, ‘This is going to work.”’ Mayor Brian Sager told council members that the item was on the agenda for last week’s council meeting only to make sure no one objected to exploring the option of digging under Johnson Street to dig 30 wells of 400 See COURTHOUSE, Page 4

NEWS

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Health officials insist seniors still a priority Staff Report

NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

McHenry County has a mass vaccination site to fight COVID-19. Now is just needs the vaccine to meet the demand. Melissa Adamson, public health administrator for the Department of Health, announced Friday afternoon that the shipments for the week had not yet been received. “Until shipments of vaccine can accommodate our needs,” she said in a news release, “we will continue to prioritize people who are most at risk for severe morbidity and mortality associated with COVID-19 infection, which is our 65 and older, before moving on to other subgroups within Phase 1B group.” The county also will need to prioritize second dose vaccine clinics because vaccine shipments have been delayed by weather and the state has issued a directive to focus on second dose vaccinations. As of Feb. 18, the release said, all but 226 of the more than 6,400 doses on hand in McHenry County had been committed to hospitals, pharmacies, and community clinics. The number of vaccines to be administered at this week’s clinics will depend on the number of doses received. Health officials said they expected emails to schedule this week’s appointments to go out on short notice pending the arrival of their vaccine allotment. Those due for their second dose vaccine are encouraged to watch for links to be sent. But based on current vaccine allotments from the state, the release said, the county will continue focusing its Phase 1B vaccination efforts on 65 and older and first responders. Vaccinations could be scaled up at a new clinic in the former Kmart on Richmond Road in McHenry – once the vaccine supply increases. The site, which the city of McHenry turned over to the county on Friday, will allow the delivery of more vaccinations to “substantially increase the number of people who can be vaccinated each week,” according to the release. “To be clear, we will still be providing first dose vaccinations to our 65 and older population,” Adamson said in the release. “It’s equally important that we get folks who’ve already had their first dose the second shot they need to be fully vaccinated.”

WEEKLY COVID-19 CASES FOR McHENRY COUNTY Report

03/29 04/05 04/12 04/19 04/26 05/03 05/10 05/17 05/24 05/31 06/07 06/14 06/21 06/28 07/05 07/12 07/19 07/26 08/02 08/09 08/16 08/23 08/30 09/04 09/11 09/18 09/25 10/02 10/09 10/16 10/25 11/01 11/08 11/15 11/22 11/29 12/06 12/13 12/20 12/23 12/30 01/08 01/15 01/22 01/29 02/05 02/12 02/19

Infections

52 133 (+81) 234 (+101) 348 (+114) 503 (+155) 703 (+200) 953 (+250) 1,175 (+223) 1,407 (+232) 1,584 (+177) 1,733 (+149) 1,849 (+116) 1,911 (+62) 2,002 (+91) 2,119 (+117) 2,268 (+149) 2,470 (+202) 2,703 (+233) 2,946 (+243) 3,210 (+264) 3,396 (+186) 3.598 (+202) 3,828 (+230) 4,002 (+174) 4,199 (+197) 4,343 (+144) 4,527 (+184) 4,705 (+178) 4,992 (+288) 5,298 (+306) *6,035 (+737) 6,906 (+871) 8,170 (+1,264) 10,301 (+2,131) 11,602 (+1,301) 12,432 (+830) 15,091 (+2,659) 16,176 (+1,085) 17,310 (+1,134) 17,971 (+661) 18,850 (+879) 20,314 (+1,464) 21,270 (+956) 22,028 (+758) 22,610 (+582) 23,126 (+516) 23,556 (+430) 23,883 (+227)

Plus 29 probable deaths

Deaths

2 3 (+1) 7 (+4) 16 (+9) 28 (+12) 39 (+11) 50 (+11) 61 (+11) 69 (+8) 73 (+4) 83 (+10) 87 (+4) 90 (+3) 96 (+6) 97 (+1) 101 (+4) 106 (+5) 108 (+2) 112 (+4) 113 (+1) 113 (+0) 113 (+0) 115 (+2) 116 (+1) 116 (+0) 118 (+2) 118 (+0) 119 (+1) 119 (+0) 120 (+1) 120 (+0) 120 (+0) 120 (+0) 120 (+0) 136 (+16) 147 (+11) 163 (+16) 176 (+13) 181 (+5) 189 (+8) 191 (+2) 208 (+17) 216 (+8) 225 (+9) 235 (+10) 249 (+14) 255 (+6) 258 (+3)

* Change to state metrics

McHenry County residents who are in Phase 1A, 1B and 1C priority groups are encouraged to enroll for a clinic by going to bit.ly/MCDHCovidVaccine and selecting the appropriate enrollment form. Anyone who needs assistance in enrolling or is without internet can call 815-334-4045. County Board Chairman Mike Buehler said the vaccine received was “far short of what we need.” “We understand how frustrated people are with the pace – we hear you,” Buehler said in a release. “We are ready to roll once we get a steadier and more reliable flow of vaccine.”

IN BRIEF Firefighters union backs two trustee candidates Woodstock Career Firefighters Local 4813 has endorsed candidates Joe Galli and incumbent Robert Kristensen for election April 6 to the Woodstock Fire/ Rescue District Board of Trustees. They are among five candidates who will appear on the ballot for seats now held by Kristensen and Kenneth Marunde, who chose not to seek reelection to a six-year term. The other candidates to file are Patrick Burke, William Kulinski, and Timothy Randels. Kristensen, a business owner who has been a trustee for nearly 30 years, is a former volunteer for the Woodstock Rural Fire District. He also was involved in establishing the WFRD in a consolidation of the rural district, the Woodstock City Fire Department, and Woodstock Rescue Squad. Galli has been a resident of the district for 15 years and has what the

MARS Continued from Page 1

project that turned out to be the Curiosity rover, which landed on Mars in August 2012. But Luedtke said he was aware it was a NASA project he was working on for JPL. Perseverance is loaded with different scientific equipment from early rovers, along with 24 cameras and two microphones. The mission is tasked with relaying the sights and sounds of the icy cold planet back to Earth and looking for signs of ancient life – likely 3 to 4 billion years Austen old – through Luedtke the collection of rocks that a future mission will bring back for study. Scot’s forging and heat treat processes strengthened the wheels, and Luedtke’s job as a machinist was to rough cut them to size on a vertical lathe. Luedtke said he was part of a team effort. “I’m very proud to be part of the project,” he said, “but I couldn’t have done it without the rest of the team at Scot Forge.”

‘Called’ to teaching

Luedtke’s change of profession came at the suggestion of Steve

union called “extensive knowledge of fire department operations and management.” In a news release, local President Scott Wessel said the union membership was “seeking candidates with knowledge of the profession and solid business sense” who would pursue the goals and objectives of the district’s strategic plan, which was developed in 2019 after a successful tax referendum.

Fire/rescue district sells old fire engine for $200

For $200, James Weiner of Huntley bought a 1998 Pierce Saber Fire Engine from the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District. The district’s Board of Trustees accepted the bid for the truck that has been used for spare parts, Chief Mike Hill said. Although the district usually trades in used equipment when it buys new, Hill said the truck had been worth more in parts than its trade-in value. Weiner owns J.W. Heavy Equipment Repairs and Excavating in Huntley. Thompson, who retired last year from teaching industrial technology at WHS. Thompson now is organizational development technical educator at Scot Forge. A McHenry East graduate who now lives in Richmond, Luedtke said he had enjoyed the training aspects of his job at Scot Forge, so teaching was an extension of that. “I feel like something is calling me in this direction,” he said. “I want to get more kids into manufacturing.” He does that through the five classes he teaches, which includes manufacturing occupations and two freshman-level sections of orientation in industrial technology: transportation/production and communications/energy. Those classes give students an opportunity to “dip their toes” in possible careers. Of course, Woodstock School District 200 began the school year with remote learning, which Luedtke said created extra difficulties for his classes, including metals and introduction to computerized numerical control. “It’s more of a challenge for sure,” he said. “It’s probably harder [than other classes] to teach virtually because it’s so hands-on.” And when D-200 resumed inschool instruction, Luedtke was in quarantine because of a positive test in his family. So his first face-to-face meeting with students was scheduled for Monday this week. He said last week he was eager to get into the classroom. “I’m loving it,” he said. “It is my calling.”

Flower farm gets OK to expand operation Cardella’s request was complicated by the fact the trees to be removed are in a tree preservation easement, but her attorney pointed out those trees had been identified by an arborist as undesirable species. The operation also is situated in a residential neighborhood.

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

Zoning functions to merge

Among discussion items on the meeting agenda was a merger of the Plan Commission and the Zoning Board Appeals, which council members agreed to. Mayor Brian Sager explained the seven-member ZBA was down to four members as the result of resignations, and the board has been having trouble assembling a quorum to do business on the few petitions it has – averaging three a year over the past six years, according to a staff report. A change of city code will have the Plan Commission assume the duties of the BZA. Those include making recommendations to the City Council on variations to the zoning ordinance, most frequently involving building heights, setbacks, fencing, and parking. The Plan Commission considers zoning changes and special use permits, among other matters. Sager, who will leave office in May after 16 years as mayor, will fill a vacancy on the nine-member Plan Commission, probably with a current ZBA member. Others members of that board will be considered for vacancies on other city boards and commissions, the mayor said.

In items on the meeting’s consent agenda, which was approved with a single, unanimous vote, the council: n Extended reduced fees that local businesses pay for liquor licenses and video gambling permits for another year as the coronavirus pandemic continues to hamper the business environment. Liquor licenses were lowered to $50 for all holders except liquor stores, convenience stores, and major retail/ grocery stores. Businesses will pay $100 for a gambling permit, which is usually $1,000, and $50 for each terminal, instead of $500. n Included within city code the authority to conduct remote meetings

Court date March 19. ■ Gabriella Ortiz, 21, Harvard, was arrested Feb. 10 at U.S. 14 and Dean Street on charges of following too closely and driving while license suspended. Released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bond. Court date March 18. ■ Nikita F. Dye, 26, Woodstock, was arrested Feb. 11 in the 500 block of East Jackson Street on a McHenry County warrant charging failure to appear. Held on $10,000 bond. Court date to be set. ■ Joshua A. Brown, 20, Woodstock, was arrested Feb. 12 in the 700 block of Prairie View Lane on two counts of domestic battery. Taken to jail. Bond and court date to be set. ■ Ismael Ayala, 20, Woodstock, was

arrested Feb. 16 in the 500 block of East Jackson Street on a McHenry County warrant charging failure to appear. Released on personal recognizance with notice to appear. Court date March 4. ■ Tanis J. Kahabka, 57, transient, was arrested Feb. 17 in the 1200 block of Davis Road on a McHenry County warrant charging failure to appear. Released on personal recognizance with notice to appear. Court date March 5. ■ Araceli Vencis-Carbajal, 42, Woodstock, was arrested Feb. 18 at McConnell Road and Eastwood Drive on a charge of no valid driver’s license. Bond $2,500. Released on personal recognizance. Court date March 25. ■ Abraham Silva Marin, 35, Crystal

COLLIE FLOWER FARM FACEBOOK PHOTO

“Undesirable” trees will be removed to allow Collie Flower Farm to grow its business on the far west side of Woodstock – despite the objections of neighbors and a negative recommendation by the city’s Plan Commission.

Liquor, gaming fees reduced

in the event of a “disaster” related to public health concerns as determined by the mayor. The state’s Open Meetings Act was amended last year to allow such meetings after the governor made a statewide disaster declaration in June. n Approved an agreement for the police department to provide resource officers to Woodstock School District 200 for the rest of the school year. One officer is assigned to each of the district’s two high schools, but in-school instruction didn’t begin until Feb. 1 after starting the school year with remote learning from home. D-200 will cover the costs of the two officers from February through May.

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

Woodstock Police Department

■ Daniel Castaneda, 21, Crystal Lake, was arrested Feb. 8 at Barbary and Savanna lanes on charges of driving too fast for conditions and no valid driver’s license. Bond $2,500. Released on own recognizance. Court date March 18. ■ Jason F. Spitzer, 35, Woodstock, was arrested Feb. 9 in the 200 block of South Madison Street on a charge of interference with the reporting of domestic violence. Taken to jail. Bond and court date to be set. ■ Erick Gomez-Rubi, 20, Harvard, was arrested Feb. 9 in the 300 block of Seminary Avenue on charges of failure to reduce speed to avoid a crash and no valid driver’s license. Bond $2,500. Released on personal recognizance.

Lake, was arrested Feb. 18 in the 1100 block of U.S. 14 on charges of speeding, driving while license suspended, and operating an uninsured motor vehicle. Bond $2,500. Released on personal recognizance. Court date March 25.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District EMS calls for Feb. 11-17: 78 Fire Runs Feb. 11

1:59 p.m. – 200 block of Main Street, system malfunction/other; truck 2:47 p.m. – 100 block of Terry Court, malfunctioning CO detector activation; brush truck 8:51 p.m. – 3700 block of Doty Road, unintentional alarm system activation,

See PUBLIC SAFETY LOG, Page 4

NEWS

Despite a Woodstock Plan Commission recommendation that the request be denied, the City Council has approved a special use permit to allow Collie Flower Farm to expand its operation on the city’s west side. Council members voted unanimously last week to grant the permit, which the farm never obtained when it began growing flowers commercially about 2012. The Plan Commission had voted 7-1 last month to recommend denial of the request for the permit and the removal of some trees to expand the growing area for raised, terraced beds. The business, owned by Liz Cardella, grows and sells specialty cut flowers to florists and at local farmers markets. The request had the support of the city’s Building and Zoning Office, director Joe Napalitano told the council, explaining that the request met requirements of the zoning code for a special use permit. But it was granted with several conditions, including a ban on retail sales at the site, 1104 Alpine Lane, and a required consultation with neighbors on additional screening between the farm and neighbors, who objected to the request. The issue brought the lengthiest discussion during what was a nearly three-hour council meeting Feb. 16, with attorneys for both sides weighing in on the legality of the petition.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

NEWS

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

OBITUARIES

William H. Desmond, 67

William Howard Desmond, of Waukesha, Wis., passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, Feb. 7, 2021, at the age of 67. Bill was born in San Francisco, Calif., and raised in Woodstock, Ill., the son of William John Desmond and Anne Virginia Desmond (née Slavin). He William Howard married Kris- Desmond tine Rose Desmond (née Quasius) on Oct. 9, 1982, at Grace Episcopal Church in Sheboygan, Wis., and together they raised three children in Waukesha. Bill was a gentle and generous man whose time came too soon and who will be deeply missed. His family will remember him for his kind-heartedness and warmth, sense of humor, and wide range of passions and interests. Always curious about the world around him, Bill was fiercely intelligent and knowledgeable yet never felt the need to prove it to others. He was an avid reader, devouring books of all types. He found pleasure in the New York Times

COURTHOUSE

crossword puzzle, asking family around him for help with clues. He collected cameras and took decades of beautiful photographs, always being happy to capture and share in a moment without needing to be at the center of it. He made annual family calendars, learned how to build his own golf clubs, competed in 100-mile bike races and sprint triathlons, brewed his own beer (“Bill’s Pale Ale”), and was a fantastic cook. He loved music, especially folk Americana, took his kids to Milwaukee’s many great festivals, and was a lifelong fan of the Grateful Dead. He especially loved peaceful summer nights at the family cottage on Pigeon Lake, Wis. Bill was enthusiastic about technology, too, bringing home early PCs to share with his family and always keeping up with the latest gadgets. He and Kris met at Pilot Systems, a Brookfield-based computer company, and he later built a successful career as an enterprise systems sales consultant at Oracle, where he has spent the last 20+ years. His colleagues will remember him for his depth of knowledge, principled approach, and kind, easy-going nature. Above all, Bill showed a deep, selfless love for his family. He is survived by his wife, Kris, and their three children, William Gordon Desmond (m. Sarahjeet Singh) of Warren, Vt., Margaret Rose Desmond (m.

Francisco Lewis) of London, U.K., and Samuel John Desmond (m. Emily Ayres Desmond) of Seattle, Wash. He cherished spending time with his first grandson, William Damoder Desmond, who turns 2 in March. Bill was preceded in death in July 2020 by his father, William J. Desmond, and is further survived by his mother, Anne Desmond, of Woodstock, Ill.; his brothers, Timothy Desmond (m. Sally Desmond) of Westlake Village, Calif., and David Desmond of Fontana, Wis.; Kris’s siblings, Lynda Pautz (m. William Pautz) of Pigeon Lake, Wis., and Michael Quasius (m. Cathy Quasius) of Grafton, Wis.; and other extended family and friends. The Desmond family will hold a private ceremony to remember and celebrate their beloved Bill at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church in Pewaukee, Wis. In lieu of flowers, Bill would kindly ask you to donate to your local food bank, take care of one another, and support the pursuit of science and truth in this time of great need. Cesarz, Charapata & Zinnecker Funeral Home, Cremation and Pre-Planning Services are serving the family. For further information, please call 262-542-6609, or for directions, an online obituary, or to leave a condolence, please visit WaukeshasFuneralHome.com.

9:20 p.m. - 17000 O’Brien Road, Harvard, assist police or other agency; truck

chimney/flue; shift commander, engine, truck, two ambulances 9:06 p.m. – 700 block of Duvall Drive, carbon monoxide incident; truck, utility 1 pickup 10:41 p.m. – 1300 block of Club Road, incident found on arrival; shift commander, ambulance, truck

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG Continued from Page 3

no fire; shift commander, engine, truck, ambulance Feb. 12

1:59 a.m. – 500 block of South Eastwood Drive, traffic accident with injuries/ extrication; shift commander, engine, truck, two ambulances 10:45 a.m. – 11700 block of Catalpa Lane, malfunctioning alarm system sounded; truck, utility 1 pickup 12:27 p.m. – 2100 block of Aspen Drive, cooking fire/contained to container; shift commander, two engines, truck, ambulance 1:22 p.m. – 13200 block of Hebron Road, assist police or other agency; truck

Feb. 13

2:03 p.m. – Country Club Road and Oakland Avenue, traffic accident with injuries; shift commander, engine, two ambulances 3:45 p.m. – 11500 block of McConnell Road, unintentional alarm system activation; shift commander, engine, ambulance 6:55 p.m. – 700 block of Robert Drive, carbon monoxide detector activation, no CO; command car 11:35 p.m. – 2000 block of Willow Brooke Drive, person in distress/other; truck, utility 1 pickup Feb. 14

Woodstock 815-420-3030 www.saundersfhc.com

7:08 a.m. – 200 block of Redwing Drive, unintentional transmission of alarm/other; engine, command car 7:51 a.m. – 2000 block of Lake Avenue, malfunctioning alarm system sounded; truck, utility 1 pickup 8:34 a.m. – 2100 block of Willow Brooke Drive, unintentional alarm system activation, no fire; shift commander, engine, command car, ambulance 5:15 p.m. – 200 block of Fieldstone Drive, chimney/flue fire contained to

Feb. 15

5:23 a.m. – 2000 block of Red Barn Road, carbon monoxide detector activation, no CO; truck, command car Feb. 16

7:14 a.m. – 2000 block of Olmstead Drive, unintentional smoke detector activation, no fire; truck 4:24 p.m. – 14700 block of Azalea Lane, gas lead (natural or LP); truck 7:20 p.m. – 1200 block of Orchard Lane, Harvard, assist police or other agency; truck Feb. 17 11:10 a.m. – Franklinville Road and Route 176, Union, EMS call excluding traffic accident with injury; engine, ambulance, shift commander 4:09 p.m. – 200 block of Main Street, water/steam leak; truck 4:48 p.m. – 3700 block of Doty Road, unintentional sprinkler activation, no fore; shift commander, engine, ambulance, truck

Continued from Page 1

feet deep in a corner of the park. And Councilwoman Wendy Piersall assured the council such an option had already been vetted by the Old Courthouse and Sheriff’s House Advisory Commission, of which she is a former member. “This already has been researched and recommended,” Piersall said, suggesting that option would be “much easier, cleaner, and faster” than digging in any other direction.

‘Very green’ option

City Planner Darrell Moore explained the geothermal heating and cooling system would require trenches to be dug four or five feet deep for the system’s water lines and that no trees would be harmed over the estimated three weeks needed to install the system. “Once this is done,” Moore said, “you would not see evidence of it, once it’s been covered up, with grass growing.” And, he said, the “very green” geothermal technology would save “tens of thousands of dollars” compared to other options. The underground lines would hold water – cooler than summer air temperatures and warmer than winter air – that would be piped through the walls of the old buildings to help cool and heat them. Piersall said the advisory commission had spoken at length with the project architect, Gary W. Anderson of Rockford, who has “quite a bit of experience” with geothermal. He had recommended it for the project, in part to avoid bulky HVAC equipment next to or on top of the buildings. Sager said the commission would be phased out as the project winds down, “likely” by the end of this year. Moore said September was the target date to begin renovation, with occupancy expected by early 2023.

Still committed to project

Moore updated the council on interior remodeling of the buildings for four tenants – Public House restaurant, Ethereal Café, Milk House ice cream, and the Woodstock Public Library. “They all have reiterated a commitment to sticking with the project,” Moore said in response to a question from Councilman Darrin Flynn. Moore reported tax consultants had suggested that prospective tenants sign letters of intent now, but formal leases could be delayed until late summer. While Ethereal is considering different uses for the Sheriff’s House space Moore reported, “They’ve not scaled back on the square footage.”

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Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

NEWS

“I’m Selling Homes and Want to Earn your Business!”

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SUBURBAN

Call/Text: 815-687-0329 or visit www.jolenewhite.realtor

OPINION

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

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

Fighting for our health, physical and emotional

As the graph to the right indicates, things are getting better regarding COVID-19 cases in Illinois. But don’t be fooled. We still have a long, long way to go before anything resembling normal returns. Health officials are still reporting new infections and more deaths from the coronavirus every week. We are still living with a pandemic, and we will be for months, maybe longer. Until nearly everyone who wants to be vaccinated against the virus has been. Until we know how the variants of the disease will spread among the population. Until we know how effective the vaccine can be against those variants. Literally everyone has been harmed by COVID-19. Everyone – beyond the nearly 24,000 people in McHenry County who have suffered physically from the illness, and as the death total approaches 300. That’s about one of every 1,000 residents of this county in just 11 months.

That harm can be quantified. Less obvious are the long-term social and emotional effects of the disease, especially on children. In its plan – short and long term – to address pandemic-aggravated learning gaps, Woodstock School District 200 is focusing on social-emotional needs of students along with improvement of their skills. Until Feb. 1, D-200 had used remote learning almost exclusively this school year because of the risk COVID-19 posed. While helping all children reach grade-level skills in math and reading is critical, said Kevin Lyons, D-200’s communications director, “so is making sure students are able to cope through some difficult times. That’s why our intervention strategies are designed for both academic and social-emotional needs.” Before enacting a hybrid learning approach that allowed students back into the schools, the D-200 Board of Education heard from many parents about the effects of social isolation

GRAPH BY JERRY NOWICKI, CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS

This graph shows the rolling, seven-day positivity rate for tests completed starting on June 1. Illinois Department of Public Health data was used to calculate the averages. from remote learning on their children’s mental health. In another effort to address that problem, D-200 is sponsoring a virtual series of speakers to help parents help their children. Unfortunately, parents who could benefit most tend not to involve themselves in such programs. Only about three dozen people were on last week’s first one via Zoom. (The program is now on the D-200 website, woodstockschools.org.) In his 90-minute presentation, Dr. Ken Ginsburg, a pediatrician specializing in adolescent medicine, offered

advice in promoting resilience in children who are experiencing these difficult times. Much of it was Parenting 101: Model the behaviors you want children to develop, be the kind of parent your kids want to talk to, and understand the challenges posed by uncertainty in the lives of kids. “An adolescent’s job is to stretch your limits,” Ginsburg cautioned those parents in the audience. His was a message everyone needs to hear, given that “it takes a village. ...” In that regard, we all can help.

Whither Wonderful Winter Whine-derland “The problem with winter sports is that – follow me closely here – they generally take place in the winter.” – Dave Barry “A lot of people like snow. I find it to be an unnecessary freezing of water.” – Carl Reiner “Snow and adolescence are the only problems that disappear if you ignore them long enough.” – Earl Wilson On Feb. 2, I dressed in multiple layers and headed to the Woodstock Square, arriving about 6:30 a.m. to find a prime piece of sidewalk where I could shiver and watch a furry meteorologist see – or not see – his shadow shortly after 7. Woodstock Willie, our town’s version of a certain Pennsylvania groundhog, was reluctantly removed from an artificial tree stump by his handler, and then Brian Sager – for one final time as mayor

– interpreted Willie’s “Groundhogese,” to announce that Willie had NOT seen his shadow. The news, which meant we’d see an early spring instead of six more weeks Paul of winter, was greeted with much Lockwood A Musing joy by the hundreds of masked attendees who’d assembled on a very cold Tuesday morning to listen to Die Musikmeisters perform “Pennsylvania Polka” and other joyous tunes and to celebrate “Groundhog Day,” both the holiday and the film. Believing in Willie’s accuracy, I waited patiently in line to pose for a photo with this tiny oncea-year prognosticator/celebrity in our

midst. But did Willie lie to us? As of the time I’m writing this column – the night of Feb. 16 – we’ve had a dozen consecutive days with high temperatures below freezing. Well below freezing. The only good news is that by the time you’re reading this column, things may have turned around; weather.com is predicting highs in the 30s from this past Sunday through the beginning of March. More relatively good news: while Midway Airport received almost 18 inches of snow between Valentine’s Day and Feb. 16, Woodstock got only 2.5 inches. Ask anyone in the Midwest what their favorite season of the year is and you’ll get a variety of answers. But ask for their least favorite season and the vast majority, myself included, will say winter. The National Spelling Bee

participant inside of me knows it’s a six-letter word, but the realist inside of me, even though I don’t swear much, believes it’s the four-letter word that often inspires many other four-letter words. Prior to the pandemic, disembarking from a Metra train to find your car that was parked all day has vanished under ice or snow? Why, I swear … that I felt like swearing. Feeling subzero wind chills against your eyes as you pushed your grocery cart to the other end of the lot because you couldn’t find a closer spot? Not something my face … liked to face. Searching for your morning newspaper in your drifting snowcovered driveway, hoping a snowplow hasn’t pushed it up the street? That’s the kind of coverage I never want … when my bathrobe and pajamas are

Continued on Next page

Continued from Previous page

forward to the occasional snow day. But with the coronavirus making remote learning less, well, remote of a possibility, students can get buried under the snow AND buried under with schoolwork. Spring can’t get here soon enough as far as I’m concerned. The only thing I’m more eager for is the COVID vaccine. Maybe if I don’t see my own shadow, I’ll be able to inject more than just humor into this season that leaves me cold. It’s worth a shot.

barely providing any coverage. Is this what Shakespeare meant about the winter of our discontent? Not that I mean to totally dis winter, but I’m definitely not content with it. When my wife and I moved back to Illinois in the fall of 1997 after living eight years in Florida, many people asked me why I’d want to leave a state where cold weather is a rarity. I used to joke that you can always put on more layers of clothing in the winter up here, but you can take off only so many layers in the summer in the Sunshine State before you run the risk of harassment. That’s what I used to jokingly say. But when I’m in our “fourseason room” watching TV, I would like to be a couch potato all four seasons without needing a blanket, a sweatshirt, and an electric fireplace. At least when I was a kid, we looked

Paul Lockwood has been an enthusiastic singer, constant punster, frequent local theater actor, active Grace Lutheran Church and Toastmasters member, occasional theater reviewer, and past president of TownSquare Players. A senior sales operations specialist for Vitality Group USA, Paul has lived in Woodstock for 20 years with his wife, Diane.

the logistics of communicating and the challenges if anyone lost power or internet connectivity. I asked Neil how he celebrated the landing. “I never get terribly excited,” he said, adding that he had been on the “graveyard shift” – 11 p.m. to 8 a.m. – for the four days leading up to the landing. “We were providing support round the clock.” He gave me an easy-to-understand description of how the mission would benefit future space exploration. “If people are going to go Mars, we need to know if oxygen can be manufactured from what’s in the Mars atmosphere,” he said. “And people will want to come home. We can’t take enough fuel for a round trip. So, can we manufacture rocket fuel from what’s there?” What fascinated me most was what Neil said about the conveniently planned landing time – about 3 p.m. CST on Feb. 18. “The arrival time was fixed when we launched on July 30,” he said. “The mission designers wanted to land at a certain time at a certain location.” And Neil and his teammates helped make that happen. Neil is truly a space evangelist. He’s a member of JPL’s speakers bureau and has his own Space Enthusiasts email group. I plan to continue following Perseverance updates on the internet and will read Neil’s Space Enthusiast emails. If you’d like to receive his emails, too, email me at c.wormley@ thewoodstockindependent.com.

Cheryl Wormley is publisher of The Woodstock Independent. Her email address is c.wormley@thewoodstockindependent.com.

» YOUR VIEW

More thanks for help with Christmas Clearing House We would like to add to the list of people who were thanked in the Christmas House ad [The Independent, Feb. 17]. Isabel Baker, founding director of The Book Vine for Children in McHenry, donated not only several hundred books but also a substantial amount of money toward the purchase of additional books for children. We would also like to thank the staff of the Woodstock Public Library for distributing the books. Without their help, we could not have gotten the books into children’s hands. Pam Moorhouse Maggie Crane Woodstock

Subscription rates/year $75 in Woodstock, Bull Valley and Wonder Lake. $77 in McHenry County. $82 for snowbirds and $90 outside McHenry County.

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can look forward to many more photos and videos. Also onboard are all kinds of sensors and instruments as well as what’s needed to collect rock cores Cheryl and soil samples that will eventually Wormley be brought back to Declarations earth for study. That was a good start for me, but I wanted to know more, so I sent an email to my high school classmate Neil Mottinger, who had a part in the Mars 2020 Project. Neil grew up on a farm near Oswego. He was interested in space and astronomy as a kid, and even built his own telescope while in high school. His dream of being part of what was and would be happening at JPL became a reality less than two years after he graduated from the University of Illinois. And he’s been there ever since – 53 years. Obviously, he loves what he’s doing. As we talked via Zoom Saturday about the success of the mission, Neil explained that he was on Percy’s navigation team. “We were responsible for determining the trajectory the rover was actually on after launch and the design maneuvers to bring it back on course if its predicted position at Mars arrival would fail to meet certain accuracy requirements.” He had been working from home since March 6 as had at least half of the hundreds of people working on the project. We chatted briefly about

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Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

Perseverance, NASA’s newest Mars rover, landed on the Red Planet! Given all of the cancellations and postponements of key events in so many of our lives the past year due to COVID-19, it was a joy and a relief to witness something so significant happening as planned. I watched the goings on all Thursday afternoon on NASA’s YouTube channel. Perseverance appeared to perform perfectly, firing when it needed to fire and shedding what it needed to shed. Its parachute opened on cue, and its crane lowered what has been described as humanity’s most sophisticated rover on a flat spot in Jezero crater about 3 p.m. Within minutes of landing, Perseverance began sending colored photos back to mission control at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory near Pasadena, Calif. All who were watching the coverage saw the photos at the same time as the teams of engineers and scientists in mission control. There’s plenty of information about Perseverance on the internet: n NASA sponsored a naming contest, and Alex Mather, a Virginia seventh-grader, submitted the winner – Perseverance. There was plenty of competition – 28,000 names were submitted. n Percy, as the 2,260-pound rover is dubbed, traveled 293 million miles from launch July 30 to Jezero crater, and there’s more traveling ahead, exploring the Mars landscape. n The equipment for Mars 2020, as the entire mission is called, includes more than 20 cameras – the most ever flown on a deep space mission, so we

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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! 2020 S. Eastwood Drive (Rt. 47) Woodstock, IL 815-334-5985

Realtor Kim Keefe of Team Open Doors is “masked up” to help in preventing the spread of the coronavirus. The Independent wants you to join your neighbors by sending in a photo of members of your family, club, office, or other group wearing your masks. Please email it to woodstock4all@thewoodstockindependent.com. We’re all in this together, Woodstock.

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Two Auto-Lite employees are shown displaying parts made at the Woodstock plant in 1954. From left: Ralph Chrone or "Chroner" and Bob Kalowitz.

The McHenry County Historical Society & Museum is offering free activity kits for third- through fifth-graders. The range of topics include pioneer, trains, and quilts. To get your kit, email Karolina Kowalczyk, MCHS volunteer and outreach coordinator, at karolina@mchenrycountyhistory.org.

Don Peasley Photo Collection, McHenry County Historical Society

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

Schools

By Janet Dovidio

Four local students earned high honors for the fall 2020 semester at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. They are Wonder Lake residents Paige Schnulle, elementary education, and Taylor Termanas, ornamental horticulture, and Woodstock residents Zachary Emricson, industrial engineering, and Travis Tucsek, biology and forensic envestigation.

Anne Kunzen graduates from Valdosta State U.

COURTESY PHOTOS

In this screen shot, 1st Way Life Center director Judy Cocks speaks to a virtual meeting of the Key Club at Marian Central Catholic High School. Cocks explained the work at the center and asked students about collecting donations of diapers for the center.

Anne Kunzen of Woodstock has earned a master’s degree in library and information science from Valdosta State University in Valdosta, Ga. She was among nearly 900 students who completed their degree requirements during fall semester 2020.

Local students on dean’s list for fall at UW-La Crosse

Key Club members at Marian Central Catholic High School in January collected diapers (right) as their latest project. The diapers were donated to 1st Way Life Center in Johnsburg. times, Key Club has truly been a candle in the darkness.” In addition to Marshall, Strode and Shepard, Key Club officers are Tess Meisner, vice president

of public relations; Jodie Winkelman, statistical secretary; Will Stotz, treasurer; Emily Richie, Iolian editor; and Patrick Kumm, awards chairman.

Four students from Woodstock have been named to the dean’s list at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse for the fall semester of the 2020-21 academic year. To be eligible, students must have earned not less than a 3.5 semester GPA and carried a minimum of 12 credits. The local students are Fallon Ash, a marketing major; Jack Cunningham, international business; Matthew Haynes, exercise and sport science – sport management; and Cora Uidl,

SCHOOLS

UW-Platteville names dean’s list for fall 2020

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

Five local students were named to the president’s list or dean’s list for the fall 2020 term at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa. On the president’s list with a perfect 4.0 GPA were Braeden Given of Wonder Lake and Lacie Mickle of Woodstock. Dean’s list students with at least a 3.5 GPA were Woodstock residents Carolina Kirwan, Leah Taylor, and Hannah Villont.

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Dress-down day, cards for veterans, a video for Valley Hi nursing home, and a diaper drive are only a few of the outreach efforts of the Key Club of Marian Central Catholic High School this school year. Club members have held monthly board and club meetings during this time, despite being both in school and out. “It has been a challenge trying to find events to carry out both remotely and with the hybrid schedule,” said Paris Marshall, Key Club president. The month of October featured a “Pink Out” for the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Students and staff donated $5 each to participate in a dress-down day centered on the color pink. The club raised $760. Members spent early November creating handmade cards for veterans in honor of Veterans Day. In December, Kat Strode, Key Club vice president of statistics, created a Christmas video for Valley High residents. The program showcased different club members submitting pictures with messages for the residents. The most recent project took place from Jan. 25 to 29. Students first reached out to 1st Way Life Center in Johnsburg to ask whether they could collect donations of diapers for the center. Judy Cocks, 1st Way director, spoke to members of the club via Zoom to inform them of the organization’s work in helping women in need. The club advertised the effort with signs they displayed around school. Social Media Editor Maddison Shepard posted the event information on several social media sites. “We were able to collect a good amount of donations to help the center,” Marshall said. All of these service projects are student-run under the guidance of advisers Brittany Solomon and Megan Graff. “Club members have consistently participated in club events with both enthusiasm and motivation,” Marshall said. “In such difficult

Alabama recognizes five locals for academics

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Key Club’s latest project in diapers

COLLEGE CURRENTS

HONOR ROLLS

WOODSTOCK HIGH SCHOOL 2020-21 First Semester

12th Grade High Honor Roll:

Zachary Adams, Bradley Arnold, Elizabeth Arnold, Priyanka Dhrumal Bhatt, Nole Bristen, Bryan Bustos, Jacob Canty, Naxali Cervantes, Haley Chellberg, Kenzie Chellberg, Mei Cornell, William Cunningham, Quin Cynor, Gunner Dunnett, Lili Duran Montero, Brianna Flores, Nicholas Follett, Denis Gjoni, CaroleAnn Goglin, Matthew Gray, Molly Grossman, Christian Hagmann, Nathan Hastings, Taylor Hauck, Abigail Heidtke, Tanner Hurless, Megan Jerz, Bojidar Kostov, Zaira LopezLara, Ian Matthies, Catilin Montalbano, Emma O’Brien, Melisa Paredes-Lopez, Jay Patel, Prithvi Jayeshkumar Patel, Stephanie Poprcayo, Theresa Presisto, Christopher Richardson, Britanny Sanchez, Katlyn Schillinger, Aidan Schleutermann, Katrina Schubert, Robby Schultz Jr., Giselle Segura Cargajal, Grace Sivore, Zoe Snook, McKenna Sweet, Celia Tafoya, Gurke Thome, Ailani Torres, Hannah Wietermann, Clara Wilk, Alexander Wojnicki

12th Grade Honor Roll:

Noemi Alanis, Noe Arellano, Audrey Baker, Elena Bychowski, Bradley Campbell, Jonathan Carreno, Justin Deleon,

Joshua Dix, Anthony Fabian, Alejandro Flores Cruz, Eling Galindo, Jonathan Gomez-Banos, Eva Hampston, Hunter Hochrein, Jeffrey Hughes, Faith Iradiel, Andrew Iversen, Lilli Janiga, Denon Jennings, Walter Kinsey, Mildreth Lopez, Colin McQueen, Meghan Nixon, Johan Ortega, Keanna Pedersen, Nathan Ratliff, Hector Ruiz, Giselle San Juan, Gabriella Spagnola, Xitlali Urbina, Samuel Vidales

11th Grade High Honor Roll:

Benjamin Baker, Larissa Beckman, Sara Berkebile, Kaeden Bogott, Jarixa Bravo, Vivian Broughton, Jack Brown, Daisy Campos, Anne Carley, Jacqueline Castaneda, Valerie Castaneda, Sarah Colby, Robert Diaz Arizmendi, Marren Dougherty, Ireland Dunnett, Kalyn Embry, Ethan Ewart, Marcos Fernandez Fernandez, Amelia Ferrarini, Yenifer Flores Mosso, Reese Freund, Xochitl Godinez, Jon Gross, Haley Halsall, Isabelle Halsall, Susan Hansen, Mackenzie Heelein, Tyler Heelein, Max Hodory, Alexander Iversen, Grace Karner, Matthew Keyzer, Ethan Lane, Hunter Lisowski, Gavin Loiselle, Timothy Maidment, Andrew Marschall, Kayla Martinez, Mitchell McHugh, Jonathan Mickle, Madelyn Moan, Jacob

Pet Week of the

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

“Tigger & Beauty”

6-month-old male & female

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

815-338-4400

Temporary hours: M/W/F/SA 12 PM - 4 PM by appointment only 2500 Harding Lane, Woodstock (Off Rt. 14 at the Lake Shore Dr. traffic light)

Meet siblings Tigger and Beauty! This pair was originally found as strays before entering Helping Paws Animal Shelter where they are now in search of their forever home. Tigger and Beauty are the perfect duo! Whether napping, playing, or eating, they are always at each other’s side. Tigger is a curious and affectionate boy who likes to play. His sister, Beauty, is gentle and sweet. Although a bit shy, her brother brings out her more adventurous side. If you can offer this bonded pair the warm and welcoming home that they deserve, contact Helping Paws to set up a visit.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Reading is his sport

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

Seven-year-old boy’s commitment to books makes him a winner By Tricis Carzoli

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

184 hours and earning a medal and three lanyards full of buttons representing every three hours of reading.

Reading early

Buttons and trophy

Thanks to his mom’s expertise, the homeschooled Jae was reading at age 3. And he hasn’t stopped. “This is his sport,” his mother explained. “This is his thing.” Jae really likes the Magic Treehouse books series, “and, in fact, we might actually build a tree house of our own,” Johnson said. With his passion for the series, his mom said, she has been thinking about trying to build one. “He and his sister love to act out the Magic Treehouse books,” she said, “so, yeah, we would like to try to build something.” This appetite for the written word grew, and Jae took the top spot in last summer’s reading program by reading

“I love reading!”

- Jae Patrick

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Jae Patrick Johnson is shown with his buttons, medal, and trophy for finishing first in the winter reading program at the Woodstock Public Library Jae and his sister, Anneliese (right), read together in the tilta-whirl at the library, while their mother, Shelle, watches.

This year, the library’s head of youth services, Kate Tripp, decided to add a winter reading program to the mix. Jae responded by challenging himself to read the same amount of hours. “It was hard, because of Christmas,” Johnson said. “But he was committed. He said, ‘I’m going to meet that goal,’ and he did. I’m so proud of him!” At the end of the summer reading program, Jae was able to make his own final button with the library’s button machine, and Tripp presented him with a medal. This time around, Tripp let Jae make his final 17 buttons – and she awarded him a trophy. “It’s been great to see Jae’s love of reading grow just as much as he has over the years,” Tripp said. “He and

his family are regulars; everyone here knows Jae. … Teachers and parents lie and say they don’t have a favorite student or child. Librarians don’t lie. Jae is my favorite.”

Library staff helps

His mother gives credit to the library staff. “And I have to give a shout-out to Miss Kate [Tripp], who has done so much for Jae,” Johnson said. “She makes it very special for him – and it is nice for him to be recognized for his [passion]. She encourages him.” Jae agreed.

“Miss Kate is so awesome. Reading is so awesome!” he said. “And Miss Kate is like reading smooshed together with a good book. She is like the most amazing story book in the world.” As for his plans for the future, Jae is certain he will participate in the reading program this summer. “I am looking forward to anything related to reading,” he said. Johnson was confident that the summer reading program would again be utilized by Jae – and his 5-year-old sister, Anneliese. “I will never stop reading,” he assured his mom.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

“I love reading!” 7-year-old Jae Patrick Johnson said after finishing at the top of the winter reading program at the Woodstock Public Library. A long-time summer reading participant, Jae has always loved books. “We would go to the library story times,” mother Shelle Johnson said. “And we read at home. He would bring stacks of books to me to read to him.” That reading and story time at the library helped the early reader to find his niche. “I was a preschool teacher,” Johnson said. “I loved it when the students were at the point where they were learning about the sounds the letters made and phonics. Jae started to read early – and I never really got to teach him. He already knew how. That is how his mind works.” Johnson now uses her teaching background to educate her own children. “I love teaching, and I love going through that process with my own kids,” she explained. “We have a lot of fun together. … It helps us grow closer as a family.”

BUSINESS

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Congratulations to

Kim Keefe

Heartland REALTOR Organization’s Realtor of the Year - 2021

#1 IN WOODSTOCK * HOME SALES 2020 Curious what your home is worth? Give us a call!

815.333.0014 | TeamOpenDoors.com *based on MRED data for attached & detached homes in Bull Valley/Greenwood/Woodstock area.

110 1/2 N Benton Street | Woodstock, IL

Business

Rafael Castañeda, family ready for first full DQ season – even winter

Growing up in Woodstock

Castañeda’s family moved to Woodstock from Mexico when he was 3 years old. He, parents Francisco and Catalina, and sisters Monica Cruz and Elizabeth Cervantes still live in town; brother Luis lives just up the road in Harvard. At WHS, Castañeda was a member of student council and Key Club and was president of the Latinos Unidos Con Honor Americano, a Latino club that promotes involvement and volunteer activities. The first in his family to go to See ICE CREAM, page 16

PUBLIC NOTICE

IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 22nd JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS ILLINOIS STATE BANK, A DIVISION OF NORTH SHORE BANK, FSB, Plaintiff, v. TODD EVAN WOJDAKOWSKI; MERLINE WOJDAKOWSKI; NORTHERN MORAINE WASTEWATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT; CHICAGO TITLE AND TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE; AMERICAN EXPRESS NATIONAL BANK; UNKNOWN OWNERS and NON-RECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendants. Case No. 19CH696

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Rafael Castañeda and his family bought the Woodstock Dairy Queen last summer. He worked there while he was in high school and continued to put in hours as a college student. “We’ve had the support of the community from day one,” Castañeda said.

Property Address: 105 Morningside Drive Lakemoor, Illinois 60051 NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that pursuant to a Judgment for Foreclosure herein entered, the Sheriff of McHenry County, Woodstock, Illinois, or his deputy, will on Thursday the 18th day of March 2021, at the hour of 10:00 A.M. at the McHenry County Courthouse, Room 262, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, Illinois sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder, property legally described as follows: LOTS 1, 2, 3 AND 4 IN BLOCK 44 IN SAMPSON, SEX AND COMPANYS LILY LAKE SUBDIVISION, BEING

A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 32, TOWNSHIP 45 NORTH, RANGE 9 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, AND PART OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 44 NORTH, RANGE 9 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED JULY 28, 1926 AS DOCUMENT NO. 74254, IN BOOK 5 OF PLATS, PAGE 81, IN MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS. TAX PARCEL NUMBERS: 15-05-281001; 15-05-281-002;15-05-281-003 This property is commonly known as 105 MORNINGSIDE DRIVE, LAKEMOOR, ILLINOIS 60051 and is improved with a single family dwelling. Terms of Sale: This real estate is being sold in an “As Is Condition” for cash

or certified funds and the successful bidder is required to deposit 10% of the bid amount at the time of the sale with the McHenry County Sheriff and the balance to be paid by noon on March 23, 2021, except by arrangement and agreement of the Plaintiff. For information regarding this real estate, interested parties may contact: Lang Law, Ltd., 250 Parkway Drive, Suite 150, Lincolnshire, IL 60069, langlawnotice@gmail.com. Dated: February 17, 2021 BILL PRIM Sheriff of McHenry County Attorney: Andrea Lang (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 24, 2021) L11148

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

BUSINESS

Like a lot of 15-year-olds, Rafael Castañeda worked a part-time job while he was a student at Woodstock High School to cover his expenses and to save money for college. But unlike most 29-year-olds, he, with his family, now owns the business where he was a teenage employee. Last summer, Rafael and his family purchased the Woodstock Dairy Queen at 310 Washington St. from Dave and Barb Hahn, who had owned the business for 35 years. This year marks the first full season with the Castañedas as owners. While his family members have full-time jobs elsewhere, Rafael works full-time at the Dairy Queen, managing the business and its 10 part-time employees.

■ Residence at 1744 Powers Road, Woodstock, was sold by Lina C. Wald and Walter Wald, Itasca, to Jennett and Jeff Triplett, Huntley, for $170,000. ■ Residence at 13911 Washington St., Woodstock, was sold by William G. Nelson, North Liberty, Ind., to William T. Burger, Woodstock, for $180,000. ■ Residence at 8505 Concord Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Daniel C. Petrak, Bull Valley, to Kelly A. Ciskowski, Bull Valley, for $335,000. ■ Residence at 3721 W. Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake, was sold by Brian W. Harlan, Elkhorn, Wis., to Richard Spence, Wonder Lake, for $225,000. ■ Residence at 837 Saint John’s Road, Woodstock, was sold by The Abraham Lincoln Building LLC, Woodstock, to Bryan S. Dominguez-Juarez, Woodstock, for $229,000. ■ Residence at 8406 Coral Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by The Estate of James M. Korjenek, Highland Park, to Benjamin Schneiderman, Wonder Lake, for $210,000. ■ Residence at 2941 Brahms Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Nicole Blasi, Crystal Lake, to Richard P. Lambert, Woodstock, for $192,400. ■ Residence at 218 Macintosh Ave., Woodstock, was sold by Ziegfried Lechner, Woodstock, to Tracie A. Weymouth and Marshall D. Weymouth, McHenry, for $150,000. ■ Residence at 257 Wildmeadow Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Wendy A. Mitchell, Verona, Wis., to Mecktilda Majenga, Woodstock, for $182,000. ■ Residence at 1032 Tappan St., Woodstock, was sold by Brian R. Ritter, Amboy, to Alejandro Nova Esquivel, Woodstock, for $158,000.

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

By Susan W. Murray

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office Dec. 3 to 4.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Cold treats in the cold

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

BUSINESS

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

ICE CREAM

Continued from Page 15

college, Castañeda earned an associate degree at McHenry County College, where he was president of Latinos Unidos. He initiated the Latino Empowerment Conference, which encourages Latino high school students to consider pursuing higher education. Castañeda went on to Roosevelt University in Chicago, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in social justice studies with a minor in Spanish before he earned an MBA from DePaul University in 2019.

The right buyers

In the summer of 2019, Castañeda was wrapping up work on his MBA while holding a full-time job in Chicago at the Illinois Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, where he worked with the organization’s donor program. Learning that the Hahns were ready to sell the Dairy Queen, he and his family put together a purchase offer. Buying the Dairy Queen would bring Castañeda back to the community where he grew up. For the Hahns, selling to the Castañedas fulfilled a long-cherished hope. “I always wanted to sell the business to somebody local,” Dave Hahn said. “You couldn’t ask for a nicer family.” Hahn remembered Rafael as “just a good kid overall. He was always there when we needed him and cared about the customers.” Business-wise, Hahn said, “Rafael is very on top of things and very smart.” In the year that it took to work out the details, Hahn spent time teaching aspects of the business to Rafael’s sister Monica, who now makes all of the DQ’s novelties. Just as the 2020 season began, COVID-19 was creeping into the news. By the time the sale was finalized in mid-summer, the pandemic was wreaking havoc on restaurants. “There were so many unknowns,” Castañeda said. He had to figure out how to protect his workers and customers, as well as institute new sanitation protocols.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Monica Cruz, who now makes all of the DQ’s novelties for the Woodstock store, displays a box of Dilly Bars. Employee Amber Steiger is shown behind her. Castañeda said that the building’s design with walk-up and drive-up windows was a blessing. “You can control who comes in and goes out,” he said. Still, Castañeda knew that many restaurants were struggling, and his parents and siblings had put their lives into the business. “I try to stay positive,” he said. “Keep your head up and hope for the best.”

Iconic part of summer

Children who remember their DQ visits grow into teenagers who stop there as part of a date night, then hold their own children up to see their cones dipped in chocolate, then sip a shake and talk to other parents while Little Leaguers celebrate a win, and then make Tuesday their DQ day to take advantage of the senior discount. It’s the regular customers who make the Dairy Queen special for Castañeda. When the Dairy Queen opened for this season on Feb. 10, the high temperature for the day was 13 degrees. “It’s been extremely cold,” Castañeda said, “and we’ve had great customer support.”

The Woodstock location now makes ice cream cakes, and Castañeda plans to add Orange Juliuses to the menu. When the weather warms, he will improve the lighting in the picnic area and add landscaping. Last year, he kept the Dairy Queen open until mid-November, distributing free small cones and pup cups during trick-or-treating hours on Halloween. As a young business owner, Castañeda welcomes serving as an example for children and teenagers in the Latino community. “Your dreams can become reality,” Castañeda said, “if you focus, put in the time, and take school seriously.”

Growing up in Woodstock, Castañeda has a lifetime of Dairy Queen memories. He remembers stopping there with his family and riding his bike over after school. “Oreo blizzards are my favorite,” he said. Tap someone from Woodstock, and similar memories unspool.

Castañeda wants to enhance the Dairy Queen, not change it.

To begin the season, the Dairy Queen is open from 1 to 9 p.m. every day. Hours will expand when warmer weather arrives.

employees. According to a news release, that was among five awards announced by the Rockford regional office of the Better Business Bureau. Winners will be highlighted in tributes to be broadcast on

WTVO, FOX 39 and My Network TV over the next few weeks. The Torch Award is the “premier award the BBB presents to a company,” Dennis Horton, director of the Rockford office, said in the release. “Torch Award winners

demonstrate the highest ethical standards of behavior toward customers, suppliers, shareholders, employees, and the communities in which they do business.” Winners were determined by an independent panel of judges, the release said.

Additions, improvements

IN BRIEF

AirMan one of five winners of Torch Awards from BBB

Air Management Services of Marengo has won the Better Business Bureau’s 2020 Torch Award for Marketplace Excellence for businesses with up to 19

Community

17 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

New life for the O’Neills

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

Marian grad gets new heart, new son in early days of this new year By Tricia Carzoli

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Returning home

From that point on, O’Neill and his family were on whirlwind journey that would route him through three hospitals in two states, and land him 900 miles from his South Dakota home, to Illinois – back to the place where he grew up. The 6-foot-3, once-formidable college football lineman was used to being the backbone of the team, protecting both the quarterback and receivers. But quickly, O’Neill found himself in his own fight – the fight of his life. After multiple attempts to heal his heart through medication and surgery, O’Neill, his wife, Kelsey (a 2011 Marian Central graduate), their 2-year-old, Emersyn, and new baby on the way were delivered news no one wants to

COMMUNITY

A new heart, and a new baby. For Marian Central Catholic High School graduate Cody O’Neill, 2021 is looking positive. “I’m doing well,” said the offensive line coach for the South Dakota Mines Hardrockers. “I can’t complain.” For recent heart transplant recipient O’Neill and his family, 2020 was filled with substantial emotional extremes. Back in March 2020, the high school football lineman, two-time All-Suburban Catholic Conference selection, University of South Dakota lineman, and Hardrockers coach felt as though he had caught a cold – possibly from his young daughter, Emersyn. Very quickly, however, he began to think he might be dealing with something more nefarious. His suspicions would prove accurate. “I don’t go to the doctor,” O’Neill said. “Not even for a cold. But this felt different. … They sent me for a chest X-ray, and then called me back to the hospital for an echocardiogram because my heart was enlarged.”

COURTESY PHOTOS

Cody and Kelsey O’Neill pose with 2-year-old daughter Emersyn in the days before his illness led to a heart transplant this past November. Emersyn (right) holds her brother, Lincoln Joseph, who was born Jan. 25, just two months after their father received a new heart. Cody and Kelsey are graduates of Marian Central Catholic High School.

hear: The otherwise healthy 29-yearold needed a new heart. With his in-laws still in Illinois and having already talked to a cardiologist at Northwestern Medicine Chicago, O’Neill was able to petition to be transferred to Chicago on Oct. 31, and his family soon followed. “My mother-in-law was in Rapid City visiting when we got the news that we could go to Northwestern,” O’Neill said. “And she packed up my house and 2-year-old, then drove to Sioux Falls [where I was hospitalized] to pick up Kelsey and drive to Chicago.” That support was a blessing for both

of them. “Kelsey was pregnant – and she loved being pregnant with our daughter, and I feel so bad that I couldn’t be there for her the way she deserved,” O’Neill said. “She was working and taking care of our daughter, and taking care of me, and I couldn’t do the things I wanted for her. That is a hard thing. It is truly amazing how strong of a woman she is.”

A different person

Another difficult challenge was not being able to see his daughter. “I didn’t see her from October until

Dec. 18,” he said. “We did FaceTime, but it isn’t the same.” Separation from family and the pain O’Neill was feeling from a rapidly failing heart was weighing on him, but on Nov. 16 he received the call that would change his life: They had a heart. “On Monday at 2 a.m., I got a call that they had a heart for me, and we needed to make a decision,” O’Neill explained. “I was on the phone with my cardiac surgeon and my transplant coordinator. I asked if they were confident that this was the right heart See HEART, Page 18

COMMUNITY

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

HEART

Continued from Page 17

for me – and they told me it was a healthy heart.” Two days later, O’Neill gave up the heart that had forged a football career at Marian, that had accompanied him as he married the love of his life, and that watched the birth of his daughter. On the same day, he awoke with a new heart that will, O’Neill hopes, carry him through the rest of his life. “It was hard,” he said. “I am not a very emotional person, but when it was time, I told Kelsey that I wasn’t scared of the surgery, I was scared to not wake up – and leaving you.” When the surgery was over, he said, he woke up feeling like a different person. “Before the surgery, I had lost 45 pounds, I was not feeling good. I was in pain,” he explained, “but when I woke up, the pain in my stomach was gone. It was really incredible.” He was released Dec. 18, and the Marian community rallied around the family. The school’s director of admissions and development, Kaitlin Bordeaux, said the student council organized a Christmas drive for the family. “We talked about it, and we decided that, as a Marian community, we

really needed to wrap our arms around one of our own,” Bordeaux said. “The outpouring of students, staff, and faculty was incredible. Cody was my classmate. We knew they had a lot going on, and a little one on the way. We wanted to make Christmas as special as possible.” Bordeaux and teacher Laura Littner delivered gifts to ONeill’s family. “It was unbelievable and super humbling,” he said. “There are no words to describe how thankful we are. The Marian family is incredible. My coaches, teachers, classmates – it feels like yesterday. There is such a connection there.”

And then a baby boy

Marian had been pivotal in his development as a young person. “I am thankful for my time at Marian,” O’Neill said. “I enjoyed high school. I don’t think I missed a day – I enjoyed being there. Marian molded me into the person that I am today.” Two months after his transplant, O’Neill and his wife welcomed a new beating heart into the world. Lincoln Joseph was born Jan. 25. “Mom and baby are doing great,” he reported. “He is a good sleeper. He’s a great baby. There have been a few times where I had to sleep on the

floor with my daughter because she was a little jealous, but I’ll take that.” With his new heart, O’Neill is ready to face the world. But he will have to stay local for a few more months. With weekly doctor visits at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, he will be staying in Woodstock through May, but he is looking forward to returning to South Dakota and coaching the game he loves. Wife Kelsey, who is associate vice president for human resources at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, currently is on maternity leave. O’Neill said he longed to get back to normal, being at his own home, and working with his wife. “We get to have lunch at home together every day. Not everyone gets that,” he said. “I’m very grateful that we work together and have that time together.” When they do return home, it will be with four hearts beating together, grateful for the anonymous donor who gave O’Neill back his life and for the birth of a new baby who gave them something to look forward to after his transplant. “I don’t know anything about the heart at all,” O’Neill said. “I only know that the doctors thought it was a healthy heart and the right one for me.”

IN BRIEF

Substance Abuse Coalition honors Independent writer

Susan W. Murray, freelance writer for The Woodstock Independent, this week received the McHenry County Substance Abuse Coalition Leader Award. During a virtual meeting Monday, the coalition presented awards to Murray; Scott Block, executive director of the McHenry County Mental Health Susan W. Board; and Aptar Murray Group for “significant contributions to the community” on issues of substance abuse. Murray has won several statewide awards for her reporting on substance abuse issues in Woodstock and McHenry County. Her three-part series in October 2018 on local opioids abuse was termed a “significant public service” by judges who honored it with first-place awards for community service and enterprise reporting. She updated the reporting in a twopart series this past summer. Murray, a former teacher, began writing for The Independent in 2005.

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Musicians

of the Month

Creekside Middle School, 8th Grade

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What music activities are you involved in at school and what instrument do you play? I play the violin in Orchestra and in the Creekside Chamber Orchestra Club. What got you interested in Music? I’ve always loved music. I have been involved with music since I was three years old. I started by singing in the children’s choir at Grace Lutheran Church. On Sundays, I enjoyed watching the church band play the different instruments, like the flute and the piano. What is your favorite part of participating in Music? I love the challenges I get from Orchestra, like when we learn new music that isn’t always easy to play at first. I also like making new friends that enjoy the music, like I do. What do you plan to do with your musical talents in the future? I plan on staying in Orchestra through high school while also improving my violin skills. I would like to learn new instruments as well, like the piano or cello.

Brenna McConnell

Northwood Middle School, 8th Grade What music activities are you involved in at school and what instrument do you play? Currently, I play the viola in my 8th grade orchestra class. Playing the viola is something I have enjoyed since 4th grade. What got you interested in Music? I have always loved listening to music and moving to its rhythm, however, my older brother first got me interested in orchestra when he started playing the cello in 4th grade. What is your favorite part of participating in Orchestra? One of my favorite parts of participating in orchestra is working so hard on a piece of music and then being able to enjoy the final masterpiece with friends and family. It really wouldn’t be the same without my class and orchestra family. What do you plan to do with your musical talents in the future? For now I plan to continue orchestra throughout high school and make my way to the varsity ensemble.

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

Gia Kozlow

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IN BRIEF

Gavers Foundation donates to breast cancer center Gavers Community Cancer Foundation of Woodstock has donated $250,000 to the Northwestern Memorial Foundation to support early detection and treatment of breast cancer at the Northwestern Medicine Gavers Breast Center in Crystal Lake. The foundation allows local women to receive high-quality breast care close to home. “Gavers Community Cancer Foundation understands that cancer is most treatable when it is detected in its earliest stages,” Andy Hartlieb, vice president of the foundation, said in a news release. “We are dedicated to giving our community members the best chance of identifying cancer so they can begin to receive treatment as quickly as possible.” Past donations by foundation have helped the breast center buy automated whole-breast ultrasound, which physicians use to examine dense breast tissue. According to a news release, the Gavers Breast Center offers 3-D and digital screening mammograms, follow-up diagnostic care after an abnormal mammogram, and education and treatment for patients who receive breast cancer diagnoses. The center also offers close

monitoring for people who have greater risk for breast cancer or who are predisposed to breast cancer.

Rotary contest will feature recycled rubbish sculpture McHenry County Coalition of Rotary Clubs invites people to create masterpieces of inspiration and joy from discarded items and display for Earth Day at Prairieview Education Center, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake, on Saturday, April 17. Awards will be presented for creativity, artistic appeal, and the proportion of nonrecyclable materials used. Email CoalitionofRotaryClubs@gmail.com for submission form and additional details. Submission deadline for completed creations is April 12. Other sponsors include Environmental Defenders of McHenry County, McHenry County Conservation District, and Rotary District 6440 Environmental Committee.

Local food bank benefits from brokers’ donations In lieu of its annual Christmas Party, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate raised money to

COURTESY PHOTO

Agents with Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Starck Real Estate in Woodstock present a check Feb. 15 to local food panty president Bob Pierce (second from right). Brokers shown are (from left) Erin Dierks, Rick Bellairs, and Casey Meyers. “Thank you to all our wonderful brokers who donated!” Dierks said in an email. donate to the Northern Illinois Food Bank, which supports local food banks that serve 13 counties in Northern Illinois. Starck also allowed each office to choose a local charity to benefit, according to a news release. The Woodstock

branch chose the Woodstock Food Pantry because of connections that individual brokers have to people who run the pantry and because of the importance of community support for smaller organizations, the release said.

21 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

Dr. Joseph Cuccio

Joe was the son of Italian Immigrants, George & Rose Cuccio, growing up in Chicago with siblings Rose McDowell (Thomas), Andrew, Frank and Marilyn Feit (Charles) who preceded him in death. He was deeply patriotic and enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1944. He spent 6 years active duty and 22 years in the reserves, retiring as Lt Colonel. Jan. 20-26, 2021

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He graduated from Illinois School of Optometry and practiced Optometry for 40 years in Woodstock, Illinois. He loved his profession and deeply cared for his patients, often volunteering at health fairs providing screenings and vision education for the community. He was a devout Catholic and a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Woodstock, IL, often serving as commentator at Sunday mass. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus which he enjoyed for many years. Joe was an outgoing person who relished life and enjoyed socializing with family and friends. Furthermore, he was a wonderful, loving and devoted father, often gathering all the neighborhood kids for a game of baseball which taught us fairness and teamwork. One of the most important lessons he taught us is to have a positive attitude no matter what challenges you’re presented with, and he practiced what he preached. We will miss our family gatherings where he was often the center of attention making his famous “Joe” sandwiches with precision, love and care. Needless to say, it was wise to bring a hearty appetite! Because of his zest for life and always willing to try something new, he ventured into alpine skiing in 1982, often visiting Aspen, Colorado for an Optometric Conference that allowed him to try his new passion. Joe faced many health issues over the years and battled through them with faith, grace and optimism. Sadly, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s but was blessed with a loving wife and children who took great care of him for many years. He is survived by his wife Marie Louise; children Linda (Arnie) Epstein, Susan, Randy, Ann (Bill) Ehli; Stepchildren Tom (Kellie) Quinn; Beth (Brent) Schneider; and his grandchildren Sean, Ryan & Bradley Quinn, Kayla (Tevin) Sellars, Karly Schneider (fiancé Hunter McWorthy) and Quinn Schneider. Sister-in-laws Mary Margaret Cuccio, Dolores Hammond and numerous nieces and a nephew. Though we still grieve, we know he is resting in peace and we’re grateful for having him in our lives.

COMMUNITY

In loving memory of Dr. Joseph Cuccio who passed away on February 12, 2020 at the age of 92. We wish to honor him on the first anniversary of his passing. Because of the COVID-19 virus no services were held.

MOVING SOME SNOW

IN BRIEF Help with rent, utilities offered by federal funds

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Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

With a couple of more inches of snow Sunday, Stanley Mass uses his snow blade-equipped four-wheeler to clear his driveway on North Seminary Avenue on Monday morning.

McHenry County plans to spend more than $9 million in federal aid to renters unable to pay rent or utilities because of pandemic-related financial hardship. The County Board last week voted to create an Emergency Utility and Rental Assistance Program, which will use $9.12 million the county received through the COVID-19 stimulus bill. It is anticipated that the program will be up and running by early to mid-March. According to a news release, the program aims to reduce or eliminate pandemic-related evictions, prevent homelessness, avoid damaged credit that could hurt future housing opportunities for renters, and repair landlord/tenant relationships strained because of lack of payment. Landlords can apply for assistance as well. Renters suffering financial hardship can qualify for assistance up to six months in arrears, and up to three months in advance. Awarded funds are paid directly to the landlord or the utility company. Eligible households must be at or below 80 percent of their area median income – households at 50 percent or lower or that include dependents or seniors 62 years and older will get priority.

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a few simple steps you can keep this perennial plant for many years and get it to bloom every winter instead of throwing it out. The trick to make an amaryllis flower rebloom is to mimic the natural cycles of its habitat. After the flowers have faded, cut the flower stalk down to the top of the bulb, leaving the foliage in place. In this next growth phase, the plant starts to store energy to bloom next year. Move it to your sunniest location and continue to water and fertilize. After the last frost, you can move the plant outside to a sunny location and continue to water often, being careful not to over water, which causes the bulb to rot. Fertilize lightly as the season progresses If you want it to bloom for the

holidays, bring it back indoors in the middle of August and put it in a cool location (50 to 60 degrees) and stop watering. Once the leaves die, cut them off and move it to a cool, dark location without light or water for its rest period – about 2 months. Some bulbs will start growing before the twomonth period is up. Over the years, the bulb may form bulbils – small, bulb-like growths on the bulb – and these can be planted but usually take three or four years to bloom. Nancy Shevel, who completed the Master Gardeners program, is a Marengo residents who writes a gardening column for The Independent.

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The amaryllis we are familiar with have large fleshy bulbs, 2 to 5 inches in diameter, and can have anywhere between two to seven long-lasting broad strap-shaped leaves that can get to 20 inches in height. Each bulb produces 1 or 2 leafless erect stems that can get grow from 12 to 36 inches in height. At the top will form a cluster of two to 15 large, funnel-shaped flowers. The flowers can be from 5 to 8 inches in diameter and are made of six tepals – three outer sepals and three inner petals . Amaryllis are easy to grow with large rewards for very little effort. The bulbs are usually sold in the fall for early winter bloom. Bare root bulbs do best planted in a pot only slightly larger than the circumference of the bulb, with a of mix of potting soil, peat moss and sand. One third of the bulb should be visible above the surface of the soil. After planting, they need a warm place with light watering until the leaves and buds emerge. After foliage appears – NOT before – start fertilizing every other week with a fertilizer with a N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10. After the blooming is over, with just

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

Like the poinsettia, the amaryllis is cultivated to bloom during the winter holiday season. And just like the poinsettia, it is usually thrown into the compost bin after blooming is done. There are two genus of amaryllis, and hippeastrum is the one sold as indoor flowering bulbs. It is a genus of Nancy about 90 species Shevel and 600 hybrids Gardening and cultivars and is a perennial herbaceous plant. One genus originated in South Africa, and the one featured in the article today was thought to have originated in Brazil and can also be found in the central Andes of Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. Some species are found as far northwest as Mexico and the West Indies. Their habitats can be quite varied ranging from “understory” – growing beneath the forest canopy, which means they are shade tolerant – while others prefer full sun.

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Amaryllis can be long lasting, reblooms each year

COMMUNITY

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

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Happenings

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calendar

24 WEDNESDAY

WOODSTOCK WEDNESDAY Black History Month celebration Rev. Robert Jones and Matt Watroba will perform. 7 p.m. woodstockfolkfestival.org

25 THURSDAY VIRTUAL CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUP

Independence Health & Therapy 4 to 5 p.m. Zoom meeting zoom.us/j/99771621377?pwd=aV k0UmpjUXBvSlB0d1BqRGZXWk JPUT09

WOODSTOCK FIRE/ RESCUE DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING 7 p.m. wfrd.org

26 FRIDAY WINTER SHRUB IDENTIFICATION

3 p.m. mchenry.edu/live free

MARCH

2 TUESDAY

WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL 7 p.m. Onlline woodstockil.gov

3 WEDNESDAY

WOODSTOCK WEDNESDAY

Katherine Rondeau from New Jersey will perform. 7 p.m. woodstockfolkfestival.org

4 THURSDAY

WOODSTOCK D-200 PARENT SPEAKER SERIES

Dr. Ferney Ramirez: “You, Your Child and the School ... How to Positively Manage the Crisis We Are Living at Home” 7 to 8:30 p.m. Presentation in Spanish Zoom link available at woodstockschools.org/parentspeakerseries

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County 11 a.m. To register, visit: conservemc.org/

5 FRIDAY

28 SUNDAY

Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. 8 p.m. Donations appreciated woodstockoperahouse.com

MCC FACULTY RECITAL McHenry County College

THE STANDARD JAZZ PROJECT

6 SATURDAY

WINTER MARKET AT THE FAIRGROUNDS McHenry County Fairgrounds Building D 11900 Country Club Road 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org

CUB SCOUT PACK 350 FOOD DRIVE

Free Methodist Church 934 N. Seminary Drop-off times: 9 a.m. to noon 815-970-7382

FREE OPERA HOUSE TOURS All day Woodstock Opera House 121 Van Buren St. Free woodstockoperahouse.com 815-338-5300

8 MONDAY

To submit calendar items, email pr@thewoodstockindependent.com will perform. 7 p.m. woodstockfolkfestival.org

7 p.m. woodstockfolkfestival.org

12 FRIDAY

STRESS MANAGEMENT

18 THURSDAY

McHenry County Workforce Center 1 to 2:30 p.m. online Click link below to register and receive a confirmation email about joining the meeting. us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0tcOGgqjIuGNcSLso2lwYzlNV3PXf_BjMi

WOODSTOCK OPERA HOUSE SPOTLIGHT SERIES Livestream featuring Karen Reshkin & Mike O’Regan 8 p.m. $10 individual ticket woodstockoperahouse.com

14 SUNDAY

WOODSTOCK D-200 PARENT SPEAKER SERIES

SECOND SUNDAY VIRTUAL CONCERT SERIES

Dr. Michele Borba: “Seven Teachable Traits that Set Happy High Performing Kids Apart and Help Them Thrive” Presentation in Spanish 7 to 8:30 p.m. Zoom link available at woodstockschools.org/parentspeakerseries

McHenry County College Sessions Jazz Quartet 3 p.m. mchenry.edu/live free

16 TUESDAY

PRIDE MEETING

WOODSTOCK CITY COUNCIL ORIGINAL OPEN MIC NIGHT

COFFEE WITH THE CHIEF

DISTRICT 200 SCHOOL BOARD OF EDUCATION

Woodstock Chamber of Commerce 127 E. Calhoun St. 6 p.m.

Woodstock Police Department 656 Lake Ave. 7 p.m. 815-338-6787

10 WEDNESDAY

WOODSTOCK WEDNESDAY Ordinary Elephant from Louisiana

Stage Left Café 125 W. Van Buren St. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. $5 donation Advanced sign-up is required. http://www.aplacetoshinemusic. com/songwriter-open-mic.html

7 p.m. Onlline woodstockil.gov

7 p.m. Live-stream woodstockschools.org

19 FRIDAY SLC JAZZ NIGHT

17 WEDNESDAY

Stage Left Café 125 Van Buren St. 8 p.m. Donations appreciated woodstockoperahouse.com

WOODSTOCK WEDNESDAY St. Patrick’s Day celebration Trillium from Illinois will perform.

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FLASHBACKS

25 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

30 years ago – 1991

■ An American flag pin was added to the standard uniforms of the Woodstock Police Department.

25 years ago – 1996

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

■ Woodstock School District 200 officials and Greenwood Elementary School students and teachers participated in the groundbreaking for a new $1.9-million addition to the school. ■ Woodstock keyboardist Gavin Walkington was awarded the Louise L. Lundemo Memorial Scholarship at McHenry County College.

20 years ago – 2001

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■ Second-grade popcorn entrepreneurs Breanne Hunt, Kenny Smultey, Kassandra Salgado, Trace Marks, and Robby Poppen donated $120 to the American Cancer Society after raising the money through a Greenwood School fundraiser. ■ Woodstock High School held a ceremony dedicating its new gymnasium to 20-year coach and Athletic Director Jim Shipley. INDEPENDENT FILE PHOTO BY LISA KELLY

15 years ago – 2006

■ U.S. Sen. Barack Obama held a town hall meeting at McHenry County College. ■ Virgil Smith, financial consultant and co-manager of the Woodstock branch of A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc., retired. Smith began his brokerage career in 1957 in his home on Burbank Avenue.

10 years ago – 2011

■ The Woodstock City Council voted unanimously in favor of an economic incentive agreement between the city and Kohl’s Illinois Inc. that was expected to lead to the construction of a Kohl’s store on property adjacent to Menard’s south of Route 14, west of Lake Avenue. ■ TownSquare Players was in rehearsals for Oscar Wilde’s classic comedy of manners, “The Importance of Being Earnest,” at the Opera House. The cast included Paul Lockwood as the Rev. Canon Chasuble. Lou Czarny was the producer/technical coordinator.

FEB. 27, 1991 – The bather and his rubber ducky, Special Education District of McHenry County students Brent Frasier (left) and Rachel Altergott, share a tub full of bubbles on the Opera House stage. They brought the house down with their rendition of the Sesame Street song, “Rubber Ducky.” The production, “A Blast from the Past,” celebrated SEDOM’s 25th anniversary. It was the fifth production staged by the SEDOM students and produced by SEDOM teachers Marla Schultz and Laura Bobowski. ■ Woodstock High School seniors Grant Schleich, Jon Larson, and Phillip Meyer were finalists in the 2011 National Merit Scholarship Competition.

5 years ago – 2016

■ Virginia Hartung, 96, found a way to turn her birthdays into food for the hungry. A longtime volunteer at the Neighbors Food Pantry in Wonder Lake, Hartung and Kim Halper, the pantry coordinator, came up with a way to leverage Hartung’s status in the community with collecting food and money donations. The goal for the third consecutive year of Virginia’s Birthday Challenge was 9,700 pounds of food donations and $9,700 in monetary donations. ■ Family Alliance Comprehensive

Care Service announced it was facing a financial crisis due to the state’s failure to pay reimbursements. “We’re only getting paid 50 percent of what they owe us,” executive director Kimberley Larson said. When asked about the state’s failure to meet its obligations, state Rep. Jack Franks said he had been pushing for state legislators and Gov. Bruce Rauner to return to Springfield to work out a budget.

1 year ago – 2020

■ The Woodstock City Council approved zoning changes to pave the way for the construction of an $8-million senior living complex just west of Northwestern Medicine Woodstock Hospital. The council also approved a $240,00 sales tax incentive in conjunction with a $700,000 expansion of Bull

Valley Ford, allowing the dealership to add commercial truck sales and leases. ■ More than $45,000 was raised when more than 300 people attended the Groundhog Day/Dinner Auction sponsored by the Woodstock District 200 Education Foundation. Woodstock Harley-Davidson donated the use of its building for the third consecutive year. The foundation had awarded more than $600,000 in grants to enhance student learning since it was founded in 1993. ■ Marian Central Catholic High School wrestler Dylan Connell, a junior, won his third state championship in as many years. With a perfect 47-0 record, Connell captured the 170-pound weight class in the IHSA Class 2A Individual State Wrestling Finals in Champaign. “It was amazing,” Connell said. “I want to get the fourth one next year.”

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PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE TWENTY-SECOND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT MCHENRY COUNTY-IN PROBATE Case No. 21PR000020 In the Matter of the Estate of DENNIS GOAD Deceased CLAIM NOTICE Notice is given of the death of DENNIS GOAD Of: HARVARD, IL Letters of office were issued on: 1/29/2021 Representative: VICTORIA HANSEN 811 CHESHIRE CT, UNIT 4 FREEPORT, IL 61032 whose attorney is: MICHLING PLAZA & ASSOCIATES 101 N. THROOP ST. WOODSTOCK, IL 60098 Claims against the estate may be filed within six months from the date of first

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF CHANGE TO DBA CHANGE OF BUSINESS/OWNER(S) ADDRESS Public Notice is hereby given that on January 7, A.D. 2021, a Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of McHenry County IL concerning the business known as JAG REAL ESTATE located at 1710 S. Eastwood Dr., Woodstock IL 60098 which certificate sets forth the following BUSINESS/ OWNER ADDRESS change in the DBA thereof: OWNER ADDRESS CHANGE JOSH BROWN FROM: 1710 S. EASTWOOD DR., WOODSTOCK IL 60098 TO: 1303 VERMONT RD., WOODSTOCK IL 60098. Dated this 28th day of JANUARY, A.D., 2021 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 10, 2021, February 17, 2021, February 24, 2021)L11141

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF CHANGE TO DBA WITHDRAWAL OF NAME File # 12488 Public Notice is hereby given that on FEBRUARY 4, A.D. 2021, a Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk of McHenry County IL concerning the business known as ARTISTIC EMBROIDERY CREATIONS located at 5203 HOME AVE., MCHENRY IL 60050 which certificate sets forth the following WITHDRAWAL OF NAME change in the DBA thereof: RALEIGH SHOWENS OF 5203 HOME AVE., MCHENRY IL 60050. Dated this 4th day of FEBRUARY, A.D., 2021 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County

Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 10, 2021, February 17, 2021, February 24, 2021)L11143

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on FEBRUARY 12, 2021 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 KAYS COUNTRY BLENDZ located at 5912 GIANT OAKS RD. WONDER LAKE IL 60097. Owner Name & Address: STEVE KROLL 5912 GIANT OAKS RD. WONDER LAKE IL 60097. Dated: FEBRUARY12, 2021 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 17, 2021, February 24, 2021)L11144

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on FEBRUARY 12, 2021 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 KAYS HOMEGROWN BLENDZ located at 5912 GIANT OAKS RD. WONDER LAKE IL 60097. Owner Name & Address: STEVE KROLL 5912 GIANT OAKS RD. WONDER LAKE IL 60097. Dated: FEBRUARY12, 2021 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 17, 2021, February 24, 2021)L11145

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on FEBRUARY 11, 2021 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 WALTERS FARMS located at 6202 JOHNSON ROAD, HEBRON IL 60034. Owner Name &

Address: PHILIP D. WALTERS AND SUSAN M. WALTERS 6202 JOHNSON ROAD, HEBRON IL 60034. Dated: FEBRUARY11, 2021 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 17, 2021, February 24, 2021)L11146

PUBLIC NOTICE

LEGAL NOTICE INVITATION TO BID The Board of Education, Woodstock Community Unit School District No. 200 will receive sealed bids until 10:00 a.m. prevailing time on Tuesday, March 9, 2021, for copier paper and envelopes for the 2021-2022 school year. All bidders are required to execute a Certificate of Eligibility to Bid pursuant to Section 33E-11, 33E-3 and 33E-4 of the Illinois Criminal Code of 1961 as amended. Bid specifications and forms can be obtained from the District 200 website at www.woodstockschools.org and questions can be answered by Jennie Morefield at 815-338-8204. The Board of Education reserves the right to award the contract in accordance with its best interest and to waive any informalities, irregularities, and errors in the bidding to the extent permitted by law. This includes the right to extend the date and time for receipt of bids. No bidder may withdraw his bid within 30 days after the actual date of the bid opening. Bids will be opened on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. prevailing time and read aloud in the Woodstock Community Unit School District No. 200 Business Services Office at 2990 Raffel Road, Woodstock, Illinois, 60098, by Risa L. Hanson, Chief Financial Officer (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 24, 2021)L11147

PUBLIC NOTICE

DISTRICT; CHICAGO TITLE AND TRUST COMPANY AS TRUSTEE; AMERICAN EXPRESS NATIONAL BANK; UNKNOWN OWNERS and NONRECORD CLAIMANTS, Defendants. Case No. 19CH696 Property Address: 105 Morningside Drive Lakemoor, Illinois 60051 NOTICE OF SHERIFF’S FORECLOSURE SALE NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that in pursuance of a judgment heretofore entered by the said court in the above entitled cause, Bill Prim, Sheriff of McHenry County, Illinois will on Tuesday the 18th day of March A.D. 2021, at the hour of 10:00 A.M., at the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Room 262, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Woodstock, Illinois sell at public auction to the highest and best bidder for cash and all singular, the following described premises and real estate in said judgment mentioned, situated in the County and State of Illinois, or so much thereof as shall be sufficient to satisfy said judgment to wit: LOTS 1, 2, 3 AND 4 IN BLOCK 44 IN SAMPSON, SEX AND COMPANYS LILY LAKE SUBDIVISION, BEING A SUBDIVISION OF PART OF THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 32, TOWNSHIP 45 NORTH, RANGE 9 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, AND PART OF THE NORTHEAST QUARTER OF SECTION 5, TOWNSHIP 44 NORTH, RANGE 9 EAST OF THE THIRD PRINCIPAL MERIDIAN, ACCORDING TO THE PLAT THEREOF RECORDED JULY 28, 1926 AS DOCUMENT NO. 74254, IN BOOK 5 OF PLATS, PAGE 81, IN MCHENRY COUNTY, ILLINOIS. COMMONLY KNOWN AS: 105 MORNINGSIDE DRIVE, LAKEMOOR, ILLINOIS 60051 TAX PARCEL NUMBERS: 15-05-281001; 15-05-281-002;15-05-281-003 Together with all buildings and improvements thereon, and the tenements, hereditaments and appurtenances thereunto belonging. Dated: February 17, 2021 Name: Lang Law, Ltd. Attorney for Plaintiff Address: 250 Parkway Drive, Suite 150 City: Lincolnshire Phone: 847-790-4529 (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 24, 2021)L11149

PUBLIC NOTICES

STATE OF ILLINOIS IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF THE 22ND JUDICIAL CIRCUIT McHenry County Mundia K. Mwanangumbi, Plaintiff vs. Carl Smith, Defendant Case Number: 20DV000680 PUBLICATION NOTICE NOTICE IS GIVEN YOU, Carl Smith, defendant, that this case has been commenced in this Court against you, asking for Dissolution of Marriage and for other relief. UNLESS YOU file your answer or otherwise file your appearance in this case in the office of the McHenry County Clerk of Court, McHenry County Government Center, 2200 N. Seminary Avenue, Room 136, Woodstock, Illinois 60098, on or before March 17, 2021, A JUDGMENT OR DECREE BY DEFAULT MAY BE TAKEN AGAINST YOU FOR THE RELIEF ASKED IN THE COMPLAINT. Dated: FEBRUARY 3, 2021 /s/ KATHERINE M. KEEFE (Clerk of the Circuit Court) Name: Mundia Mwanangumbi Address: 625 Legend Ln., McHenry, IL 60050 682-472-8555 (Published in The Woodstock Independent February 10, 2021, February 17, 2021, February 24, 2021) L11136

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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 10, 2021, February 17, 2021, February 24, 2021)L11140

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

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THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Sports

See COLLEGE, Page 31

SPORTS

Lauren Hanlon (Marian Central Catholic) has 25 kills and a .328 hitting percentage through the first five volleyball games at Xavier University. The redshirt sophomore also has six blocks (one solo). Hanlon, who has appeared in four of the matches and made two starts, had nine kills and a .389 hitting percentage in the team’s most recent victory, a 3-1 triumph over University of Cincinnati. Xavier is 2-3 overall.

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

Woodstock graduate Jeni Crain’s basketball career is on hold. So is her education for the time being. The Augustana College graduate, who spent the past six months in Great Britain taking classes for her law degree, is traveling home. Her basketball season in England has been canceled because of COVID19. But she, like American college athletes, will not lose a year of eligibility. “I think this might be a huge benefit for me, both academically and athletically,” Crain said. “I will work, train and research my dis- Dan sertation topic. Chamness Athletically, I The College got a coach and Report a gymnasium at home. “In England, I was training with a professional team because they have a special exception, where our college team [Newcastle University] did not have that exception. We did not even get train together.” Therefore, Crain will return to England later this year, and her first year of basketball across the pond will be the 2021-22 season. Meanwhile, she will train for that season. Academically, she will research her dissertation. She will still have two years to play for Newcastle while she pursues her law degree.

‘In fencing, social distancing is the point’

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Jeni Crain to delay pro career start

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER

Marian senior Jack Bojanis shown in action during a varsity fencing meet hosted by the Hurricanes Feb. 20. They faced Stevenson and Evanston high schools.

Fencers work hard to get the most out of shortened season

schools. The shortened season has resulted in fewer chances for the fencers to compete, with only five weekends to run events. Highland Park High School has stepped up and has been hosting single-weapon events on Sunday afternoons to provide additional opportunities for participation.

By Sandy Kucharski

SANDY@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Despite a shortened season, Marian Central fencing coach Megan Schmidt said her athletes have expressed nothing but gratfulness for what they’ve been given, and they are all making the best of it. Following the Illinois High School Association’s updated winter schedule, the fencing team began practice on Feb. 1, about the same time the season is usually ending. The last tourtament will be March 13. Adjusting to guidelines that limit the number of athletes who can attend a meet, the coaches in the Great Lakes High School Fencing Conference have been hosting what they call dual meets, small events where two to four schools attend and the fencers compete in weapons teams. Marian hosted one of those, a varsity dual meet, Feb. 20 with teams from Stevenson and Evanston high

Pandemic-proof

The women’s team foil captain, senior Jenna Knapp, competes on her way to a personal best win/ loss record of 5-1.

Since the fencers already wear masks and keep at a foil’s distance away, the sport seems to lend itself well to social-distancing. “We have often joked,” Schmidt said in an email, “that in fencing, social distancing is kind of the point (pun intended).” They are, however, required to wear face masks under the fencing masks which has been made breathing a little more difficult. “We take frequent breaks at practice, but the energy at competitions has been a little lower than normal,” Schmidt said. “Otherwise, setting up drills with the kids spaced out has been very easily doable.” See FENCING, Page 30

Feb. 24-March 2, 2021

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

GIRLS BASKETBALL

NN SCOREBOARD NN

■ Feb. 16 Woodstock North beat Richmond-Burton 55-24. ■ Feb. 17 Marian won in a close game over McHenry at home 48-46.

GIRLS BASKETBALL ■ Feb. 17 Woodstock lost to Johnsburg 46-32 at home. ■ Feb. 19 Woodstock fell to Johnsburg 41-26. ■ Feb. 19 Woodstock North defeated Richmond-Burton 51-28 ■ Feb. 20 Woodstock fell to Grant High School 44-26. Natalie Morrow led scoring with seven. ■ Feb. 20 Marian Central fell to conference rival Marian Catholic 70-19. BOYS BASKETBALL

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Woodstock freshman Reagan Wormley controls the ball.

SPORTS

SCOREBOARD PRESENTED BY

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Woodstock High School’s Theresa Presisto looks for an open teammate Feb. 17 at home against Johnsburg.

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INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY MARGIE PAFFRATH

Marian’s Morgan Laudick (right) goes up for a shot Feb. 17 at home against McHenry. The Hurricanes won 48-46.

ATHLETE OF THE

LACEY SCHAFFTER BASKETBALL

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Woodstock Independent 2/24/2021

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