OpiniOn

Opinion THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT Woodstock, IL • 1987

Guy works one day a year and he’s a no-show. I don’t think that’s going to work.

Groundhog Days 2021 brought us a special coincidence – maybe even irony – amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The sameness of the day-to-day routine that trapped Phil Connors on Groundhog Day in the story of “Groundhog Day” resembles the life too many of us have experienced since COVID-19 arrived in our lives last March.

But this year’s festival was anything but the same community celebration that began with an invitation-only breakfast 26 years ago. After it had grown steadily over a quarter of a century, we had to try it during a pandemic.

The annual observance of the 1993 movie reached a zenith last year when, with the quasiholiday falling on a weekend, tens of thousands of people from around the nation – and even overseas – descended on Woodstock like never before.

Maybe it’s the contrast from those record crowds of 2020 that made this year seem so “empty,” as writer Tricia Carzoli explains in her story on Page 17. That’s not her description, but that of the many people she spoke with.

Still, about 50 people showed up for the Awakening of the Groundhog that kicked off the festival Friday night. Several small groups were spotted touring the Square on Saturday, and Ortmann’s tavern had a few dozen competitors and bystanders at the festival’s bags tourney – before the snowstorm put a damper on outside activities, causing the city to launch emergency winter weather operations through Sunday evening.

The good people of Woodstock – volunteers – who make this event happen continued their good work this year despite formidable obstacles, scheduling what could be scheduled at venues that could safely be used – outside. But the usual calendar of events had to be reduced considerably.

Just as last year’s record number of visitors made this year’s scaled-town festival seem “empty,” so will the 2021 Groundhog Days make future celebrations appear to be, perhaps, even bigger than they are.

With a dedicated corps of organizers and other selfless citizens of our city, we are confident Groundhog Days will again be the great tourism draw it has been for more than two decades.

See you next year.

This is gonna happen. Oh, yes, it will.

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY JIM MANSFIELD

Re: Vaccines for the Hearthstone elderly

With the vaccines soon to be distributed, I wish to point out that a significant number of elderly people in the Hearthstone Community were not given the option to be vaccinated along with the residents and staff at the Hearthstone Village and Hearthstone Manor buildings.

We were refused the opportunity to receive COVID-19 testing when those were given. We have not been given the option of testing at any time since.

About 30 of us seniors live in duplexes near the main buildings. We are mostly over 70 and boast many in their 80s and 90s.

We sincerely ask and hope that we are offered the vaccinations at the same time as those in the Village and Manor buildings. Thus far we have not been notified of or given the form(s) to be completed and do not expect them.

Carl and Charlotte Petersen Woodstock paper Jan. 20.

Alice Nulle wrote in “Where is her vaccine?” I’m sure if she gave $50 or ? she would get it ASAP, or if she knew someone in government she would get it.

I also have been waiting for mine – 79 years old but will probably get it too late. My tombstone should read: “She waited and waited. Didn’t get it.”

Maybe get on a list? What list? Where? Have no computer. Nothing.

Been locked in since this first started. Only go to drive-thrus. That’s all. I only see my son. That’s all. He does my shopping.

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Yay! The students in our public schools are back in their classrooms for several hours a week. Imagine their joy when walking through the front doors and making their way down the halls to their lockers and classrooms – something that hasn’t happened for 10 months. Their excitement over being with their friends is fun to envision, too.

The first day of hybrid instruction was Monday for Woodstock School District 200’s two high schools, two middle schools, and six elementary schools.

I am grateful to the teachers, staff, and families for working together so the students could Return to Learn – as the district has coined the effort.

Our high school athletes have added reasons to celebrate as the Illinois High School Athletic Association cleared the way last week for practices and competitive events to begin again. All high school sports were suspended mid March of last year.

The students, their families, teachers, and coaches will be following strict safety measures to keep everyone healthy, in school and while practicing and competing. We, the general public, are part of the plan, too. We must continue doing everything we can to prevent the spread of COVID19. Think: washing our hands, wearing masks, and leaving 6 feet between each other. That’s what we’ve been doing, and we certainly can keep it up for the good of all – especially our community’s children and youth.

As I write Declarations Jan. 29, Woodstock Willie is still snug in his stump. But as you read this Feb. 3, he will have made his annual appearance and prognostication from the bandstand in the Park in the Square.

This year’s Groundhog Days was scaled way back in keeping with mitigations to prevent the continued spread of the coronavirus. Last year’s celebration was the largest of our now 27 years of festivities here in Woodstock. Still, the planning for this year probably required as many hours as the eventpacked celebration last year. Dozens of decisions had to be made – what events needed to be canceled and which ones could be held safely.

Again this year, Woodstock was fortunate to have a very dedicated, organized. and fun-loving Groundhog Days Committee – made up entirely of volunteers with a shoestring budget. This year’s chairman was Rick Bellairs.

I am amazed by the committee members’ tenures. Festival committee members usually come and go. It’s work to put on a multiday festival. But year after year, Groundhog Days planners continue. Two have been on the committee for more than 23 years: Pam Moorhouse and Maggie Crane. Next in seniority are Craig Krandel with 18 years; Rick, 17 years; and Doug Crane, 14 years. Sue Kazmierski’s tenure is nine years, Claire Brown’s, seven. Daniel Campbell, Melissa McMahon, and Pete and Debbie Riis, relative newcomers, having six or fewer years on the committee, assure its future. Paul Meyer is back on the committee, having assisted in the past with the Chili Cook-off and making the wooden groundhog cutouts that businesses decorated as a fundraiser for the D200 Education Foundation.

The committee members are your friends and neighbors. Please thank them in person or write a note or two or three.

I’m looking forward to Groundhog Days 2022 when the good times will roll once again.

Cheryl Wormley Declarations

If you fall in Illinois’ 1A or 1B groups, you may have received your first or maybe even both of your COVID-19 vaccinations. More likely, you are still waiting. As of Thursday, Illinois was 47th among the 50 states in getting the first of two shots of vaccine into the arms of residents, according to the vaccine rollout tracker of the New York Times.

Thus far, recipients, other than residents of nursing homes, seem to be part of major health systems. In our area, think Northwestern and Mercy. Disturbingly, word of mouth, would suggest some of our most vulnerable – folks in nursing homes – are still waiting, too.

Eventually, there will be vaccine for everyone who wants the protection. For now, it’s a waiting game that requires patience and determination to deter the spread.

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

Chicago office James R. Thompson Center 100 W. Randolph St., 16-100 Chicago, IL 60601 312-814-2121

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Chairman Michael Buehler 1630 Quail Way Crystal Lake, IL 60014 815-334-4224 mjbuehler@co.mchenry.il.us

Supervisor Susan Brokaw 1039 Lake Ave. Woodstock, IL 60098 815-338-0125 supervisor@dorrtownship.com

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

We strive for accuracy. To suggest corrections or clarifications, email news@ thewoodstockindependent.com.

Cheryl Wormley

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Paul Lockwood, Lisa Haderlein, Dan Chamness, Patricia Kraft, Jeff Cook, Cynthia Kanner, Nancy Shevel

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Tricia Carzoli, Janet Dovidio, Susan W. Murray, Megan Ivers, Lydia LaGue

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Piper Benedict is a senior at Woodstock North High School. She is the daughter of Keith and Alissa Benedict, Woodstock. “Piper is a senior at Woodstock North and is currently a part of the WNHS Education Internship program. Piper is working with Ms. Eaheart’s second-grade class at Mary Endres while also attending classes at WNHS. She is a positive, motivated, responsible student and has been a pleasure to have in my classes,” said one of her teachers. Piper has been on honor roll and high honor roll. She is a member of Educators Rising which is an organization for students considering a career in education. Piper plays softball and volleyball. Outside of school, she has volunteered at Feed My Starving Children, the Care4 Breast Cancer 5K, and the concession stand for the local rec softball league. When asked who inspires her, Piper said, “My Great-Grandma Lota is an amazing woman. She is almost 90 years old and doesn’t act like she is almost 90. She absolutely lives each day to the fullest. I hope I have the opportunity to live up to that potential.” When asked what makes her feel successful, Piper said, “My family’s constant and unwavering support has given me the strength I need to be successful. I have learned to persevere through personal hardships and hope to stay motivated to continue going in that direction in the future.”

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