Woodstock Independent 6/17/2020 by Woodstock Independent

The

Woodstock

I NDEPENDENT

June 17-23, 2020

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

Phase 3 opens up a little Moving too fast puts local liquor license in jeopardy By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

SCHOOLS

Local INCubatoredu program has national ‘pitch’ competitor PAGE 9

MARKETPLACE

Lines extended more than 200 feet for much of last week at the state license branch in Woodstock, spilling out of the office and wrapping around the laundromat at the south end of the building along Eastwood Drive. People waited an hour or more even

though license branches statewide are open to serve only new drivers, customers with expired driver’s licenses/ ID cards, and vehicle transactions. People didn’t seem to know or care the state had extended the expiration date until Oct. 1 for licenses, vehicle registration, and other permits that have expired or will by July 31. The weather cooperated last week

with the reopening of some social and business activities that had been limited by the coronavirus. Sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s and 80s called people to take advantage of outside dining at restaurants throughout the city. Lots of activity was observed on the patio at Public House restaurant; at tables in the street along the

See PHASE 3, Page 2

PRIDE PROUD

Finch Farm revived with sweet scent of lavender PAGE 13

COMMUNITY

Project Front Line linked restaurants with workers

PAGE 19

INDEX Opinion

Schools

A&E

Marketplace 13 Community

Calendar

Classified

Puzzles

Public Notices 29 Sports

The Woodstock Independent

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

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Melissa McMahon and daughter Charlotte McMahon Thomas stand outside their home Sunday on the Woodstock Pride Pomenade route of more than 30 decorated homes and businesses throughout the city.

MCAT expands police resources By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

When a traffic accident is serious, a call goes out to MCAT. “It has to be a serious injury or death,” said Sgt. Rob Pritchard of the Woodstock Police Department. Since May 2019, Pritchard, 50, has been commander of the McHenry

County Regional Major Traffic Crash Assistance Team. That’s what kept him on the scene of a fatal accident June 4 for more than eight hours, leading a team of nine police officers from five city police departments who investigated the collision at U.S. 14 and Route 120 (Washington Street). Pritchard said “serious injury” meant

broken bones, loss of limbs, and similar critical injuries. Just days before the wreck in Woodstock, MCAT investigated a Spring Grove accident involving a motorcyclist who survived hitting a tree. Based on information he received June 4 from the Woodstock Fire/ Rescue District, Pritchard activated See MCAT, Page 3

NEWS

June 17-23, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

News improves on state, local COVID-19 cases By Larry Lough

LARRY@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

State and local news on COVID-19 infections is encouraging, but precautions are still in place. On Friday, the number of new novel coronavirus cases reported in Illinois over the previous 24 hours had fallen below 600 for the first time since March 30. Gov. J.B. Pritzker did, however, announce the cancellation of state fairs in Springfield and Du Quoin this summer. Officials of the McHenry County Fair plan to wait until July to make a decision on the local event. Lake and Boone counties to the east and west have canceled their fairs this year. Locally, coronavirus infections have also seen a steady decline. (See chart at right.) The McHenry County Health Department first reported 52 infections for the seven days ending March 29, and that weekly total peaked at

250 on May 10. Those totals were reported at 149 on June 7 and 116 this past Sunday, June 14. While 308 of the 1,849 infections countywide occurred in the 60098 ZIP code, the health department does not report how many of the 87 deaths countywide so far are in this area. “That’s not information we have available,” Lindsey Salvatelli, public information officer for the health department, reported last week, “because we do not want to inadvertently identify individuals who’ve passed from the virus.” Four deaths were reported last week in the county. They were a female in her 50s, a female in her 80s, a female in her 90s, and a male in his 80s. Outbreaks at three local longterm care facilities also have subsided. Crossroads Care Center, 309 McHenry Ave., and Sheltered Village, 600 Borden St., have reported a total of 111 infections and 22 deaths of residents or staff. Hearthstone Communities has reported five positive tests

WEEKLY COVID-19 CASES FOR McHENRY COUNTY Report Infections

03/29 04/05 04/12 04/19 04/26 05/03 05/10 05/17 05/24 05/31 06/07 06/14

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)

Deaths

2 3 (+1) 7 (+4) 16 (+9) 28 (+12) 39 (+11) 50 (+11) 61 (+11) 69 (+8) 73 (+5) 83 (+10) 87 (+4)

SOURCE: McHenry County Department of Health

but no deaths, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. “Things are definitely better here,” Sheltered Village business manager Lauren Schlendorf reported last week in an email. “We have had no new symptoms since April 28th, our outbreak was considered over on May 27th.”

PHASE 3

that employees wear masks while serving customers; enforcing social distancing in the placement of tables and movements of customers; and cleaning tables and chairs regularly. While the mayor controls the liquor license, he cannot close an establishment – “People are misinformed to think that’s a possibility,” he said. But the McHenry County Health Department can close a business considered unsafe. Responding to such complaints is an “ongoing thing,” said Lindsey Salvatelli, public information officer for the health department. But she said no local establishments had been closed for violating restrictions related to COVID-19. “But we’ve been responding to complaints throughout the entire thing,” she said.

Continued from Page 1

closed portion of North Benton Street outside the bars; and inside large tents put up by Niko’s Red Mill Tavern and 3 Brothers restaurant. People were eager to do things under Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan as the state progressed in its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which had caused the state to institute a shelter-in-place policy until May 29. In some cases, people were a little too eager.

Notice of violation issued

Mayor Brian Sager, as the city’s liquor commissioner, last week suspended the alcoholic beverage license of Niko’s, 1040 Lake Ave., for 10 days after he found multiple violations of state restrictions when he visited the first night of Phase 3. The suspension, however, was “put into abeyance until after Oct. 1,” Sager said, “when the status of the conduct for the remainder of the season will be reviewed.” A repeated violation will double the suspension to 20 days effective immediately, the mayor said. Owner Niko Kanakaris had announced that when outside dining on the premises would be allowed starting May 29, his servers would not wear masks while interacting with customers. Although Kanakaris reportedly said

The facility is still practicing social distancing, she said, and the staff and residents are wearing masks “when out where social distancing is a bit harder to accomplish.” Residents are “doing fantastic getting used to the ‘new norm,’” she wrote. “While we miss our residents and staff member that passed away due to COVID every day, we are very excited that things are so much better,“ the email said. “That was by far, the worst experience I (and I can probably speak for our other staff as well) have ever had to deal with.” The facility, which has 96 beds for developmentally disabled adults, is considered “COVID-free,” but the staff still is setting up new policies and working closely with local and state health departments to prepare for the fall, Schlendorf reported. “We are hoping that between more time to prepare and the experience we had in April, we will be able to prevent this from happening again in our facility.”

Not quite normal

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

People line up outside the state license branch in Woodstock to renew licenses and registration in the first full week the branch was open. he had changed his position on that before he opened, the mayor found violations of “proper protocols” under state and local restrictions. Sager said a “notice of violation” was served after Kanakaris acknowledged that employees had: • Provided “direct services to customers at the indoor bar.” • Failed to wear required face masks. • Allowed unseated customers to

stand or mill round “inside and outside the establishment without social distancing.” The mayor said the city had heard complaints of “what I would call minor noncompliance” at other restaurants and bars. “But overall,” he said, “they were very much in compliance.” Still, the city issued an advisory to all liquor license holders about ensuring

Sager and other officials explored Emricson Park last week to get an idea of how cars will be parked for the drive-in theater experience of watching Fourth of July fireworks this year. Logistics are a shared responsibility of the Parks Department, Public Works, and police. Ensuring the maximum number of cars that can be reasonably parked will be especially important this year as no walk-in spectators will be allowed. The fee of $10 a car is $2 higher this year to help make up for the loss of donations from people who normally walk in. See PHASE 3, Page 4

Continued from page 1

MCAT for the 3:55 p.m. wreck on the city’s west side. The rescue effort at the scene involved five ambulances, two medical helicopters, and an MCAT team that was on the scene until after midnight.

Assigning duties at scene

PHOTO BY ALEX VUCHA, WOODSTOCK FIRE/RESCUE DISTRICT

Rescue workers free the driver from her minivan after a two-vehicle collision at U.S. 14 and Route 120 that killed a 7-year-old boy.

Sharing police resources

Each department brings its own equipment to the scene, Pritchard said. For example, Johnsburg has lights and a generator to allow investigation to continue after dark. McHenry has bought a professional grade drone, which Pritchard said would aid investigations once personnel are trained and an FAA license is obtained. “A drone would have cut down the time we were on the scene from 8½ hours to, about, 2,” he said of the accident at U.S. 14 and Route 120. Drone software would replace the “total station” equipment that requires police to use surveying equipment on

Wear your seatbelt

Although McHenry County has seen a rash of serious accidents as the weather has improved this spring – two motorcycle fatalities the first week of June, two other fatal accidents since – Pritchard said the MCAT team is outside in all weather. “My worst memories are in the cold,” said the 26-year police veteran. As for advice to drivers, Pritchard said it was “absolutely” important that everyone use a seat belt. “They’re very important,” he said, “to keep you safe in your car.”

Creativity and independence are hallmarks of Woodstock and its residents. The Woodstock High School Incubator program helps local students dream big and create business plans and ideas that give them a path to future success outside of the classroom. By providing real world experience and mentors to guide them, Woodstock is creating the next generation of business leaders. Join the Incubator class at its pitch night, Thursday, February 20th at 6pm in the Woodstock High School Library. Show your support to the next generation of entrepreneurs as they share their ideas and passions with the community.

REAL WORLD EXPERIENCE. REAL COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION.

NEWS

team members via a cellphone app. Nine of the team members responded to the Woodstock crash. Once officers were on the scene, Pritchard assigned them different tasks. Some went to hospitals in Woodstock, Huntley, and Rockford to interview victims of the crash. Others assessed the aftermath of the wreck, taking pictures and noting vehicle marks on the road, fluid spills, debris, and vehicle damage and location as they tried to understand the sequence of the accident. And if they don’t have the driver’s permission to access the black box of a vehicle for data, Pritchard said, they have to obtain a search warrant.

June 17-23, 2020

The “regional” team should not be confused with the McHenry County sheriff’s MCAT squad. Both investigated traffic fatalities in the Woodstock area in the past two weeks. The regional squad started as an initiative of the McHenry Police Department, along with Spring Grove and Johnsburg, according to Woodstock Police Chief John Lieb. Woodstock and Harvard signed on in 2015. Cary will be added once it decides which of its officers will be involved. Membership from each department depends on population, Pritchard said. McHenry has six members, Woodstock three, Johnsburg and Spring Grove two each, and one from Harvard; Cary is expected to add two. Pritchard said that after determining MCAT was needed June 4, he notified the regional dispatch center in McHenry, which relayed the call to

a tripod and lasers to plot each point of the accident scene. Chief Lieb said MCAT gave its member cities resources that a single department could not provide, which allows a quicker conclusion to an investigation. “We can pool personnel and equipment resources in accomplishing the mission when it comes to crashes,” Lieb said. “When [accidents] are bad, we owe it to the victims and their families to piece together exactly what happened.” And MCAT gives Woodstock access to equipment without having to buy it and extra investigators without having to pay them. Over the long term, the sharing of resources among cities “equals out,” the chief said.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

MCAT

NEWS

June 17-23, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Woodstock wins grant to develop ‘age-friendly’ city Staff Report

NEWS@THE WOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Nearly $75,000 in grant money will help the city of Woodstock to create a plan “to meet the needs of the growing age 65+ population.” “Serving Our Elderly Through the Age-Friendly Livable Communities Initiative” is the name of the project for which the city received the money through a Community Foundation for McHenry County’s Transformational Grant. According to a news release, the initiative will “provide in-depth analysis and planning objectives” to address senior citizens’ needs. “The project outlines a collaborative approach, engaging community members and all area senior organizations and agencies to help define the needs, and benefits, of residents age 65 and over.,” the release said.

The city will partner with McHenry County Community Development Department, Independence Health & Therapy, and Satori Pathway Healthcare Consultants. The City Council Tuesday night was scheduled to approve $25,000 to the Center for Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University. That is the first of two equal payments for a communitywide assessment that will get the project started. Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager said the project would “develop Woodstock into a role model.” “Funding provided by the Community Foundation for McHenry County will help create positive changes in housing, transportation, and healthcare options for our growing senior population, with resulting benefits for all community members, young and older,” the mayor said.

PHASE 3

Continued from page 2

While Woodstock Water Works in the park is closed for the summer and Emricson will host neither Summer in the Park nor Gavers BarnDance, both of which were canceled this year, some city services are finding a way to operate – with restrictions. Yoga and exercise dance classes resumed at the Recreation Center last week – in the parking lot out front and the grassy area behind the building on Lake Avenue. That allowed the necessary social distancing of participants. And Nick Weber, director of the Woodstock Public Library, said curbside pickup of materials had started and the staff was targeting a July 6 opening of the building at 414 W. Judd St. State officials have announced Phase 4 of the recovery plan, with less restrictive measures, could go into effect as early as June 25. That would allow gatherings of 50 or fewer people and reopening of bars, restaurants,

and schools under health department guidelines. That led Classic Cinemas to announce a tentative reopening date of June 26. But Weber said library operations would not return to normal right away. “We will not be using the meeting rooms anytime soon,” he said. “We’ll put [people] limits on programs, do as many virtually as we can, and have few in-person meetings.” He said, however, he didn’t see the need for capacity limits inside the library. “It’s a big enough building that we can properly distance,” he said. The only problem, he noted, would be deciding how to manage the entrance – the only way in and out of the building, which he said was typical of libraries. Another remnant of coronavirus precautions will remain in place a little longer. The City Council last month extended the suspension of the singleuse bag fee until Aug. 31 to comply with the governor’s ban use of such bags. The fee had been set to resume May 31.

PUBLIC SAFETY LOG

Woodstock Police Department

■ Jade M. Franz, 25, Crystal Lake, was arrested June 5 at Church and Madison streets on charges of disregarding a stop sign and driving while license suspended. Released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bond. Court date July 23. ■ Cade K. Portell, 19, Lake in the Hills, was arrested June 5 at U.S. 14 at South Street bridge on charges of speeding (40+ mph over limit), unlawful possession of cannabis, and unlawful transportation of cannabis. Released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bond and notice to appear. Court date Aug. 6. ■ Jessica M. Cook, 26, Woodstock, was arrested June 6 at Mary Ann and Pleasant streets on charges of using electronic communications device and driving while license suspended. Released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bond. Court date July 31. ■ Dennis W. Adams, 36, Chicago, was arrested June 7 at Clay Street and Todd Avenue on charges of using electronic communications device and driving while license revoked. Released after posting 10 percent of $2,500 bond. Court date July 2. ■ Sergei M. Lynn, 23, Woodstock, was arrested June 8 in the 100 block of Eastwood Drive on a charge of retail theft. Bond $100. Released on personal recognizance. Court date July 2. ■ Bradley J. Lamkin, 25, transient, was arrested June 7 in the 100 block of South Eastwood Drive on a charge of retail theft. Bond $100. Released

on personal recognizance. Court date July 2. ■ Alexander M. Lewis, 24, Woodstock, was arrested June 8 in the 1200 block of Davis Road on a Metra Police warrant charging two counts of failure to appear. Bond $500 plus $75 fee. Released on personal recognizance. Court date Aug. 13. ■ Brittanie L. Komater, 27, Woodstock, was arrested June 10 in the 1400 block of Commons Drive on a Cook County warrant charging forgery and a McHenry County warrant charging retail theft. Release after posting $100 for McHenry County warrant. Court date June 29. ■ Matthew K. Wiese, 22, transient, was arrested June 10 in the 100 block of North Eastwood Drive on an Illinois Department of Corrections warrant charging parole violation. Held without bond. Court date to be set. ■ Courtney C. Larkin, 24, Huntley, was arrested June 12 in the 1500 block of North Seminary Avenue on charges of driving under the influence, driving under the influence with over 0.08 percent blood-alcohol content, and improper lane usage. Bond $3,000. Released on $100 bond and surrender of driver’s license. Charges are only accusations of crimes, and defendants are presumed innocent until proved guilty.

Woodstock Fire/Rescue District EMS calls for June 4-10: 76

Fire Runs June 4

6:13 a.m. – 15200 block of Shamrock Lane, malfunctioning smoke detector activation; engine 10:38 a.m. – Irving Avenue and Eastwood Drive, traffic accident/pedestrian; truck, shift commander, engine, ambulance 1:45 p.m. – 1200 block of Lake Avenue, smoke scare/odor of smoke; shift commander, engine 2:47 p.m. – 2000 block of Lake Avenue, unintentional sprinkler activation, no fire; ambulance, truck, engine, shift commander 3:53 p.m. – U.S. 14 and Washington Street, traffic accident with injuries/extrication; three ambulances, shift commander, engine, truck June 6

12:10 a.m. – 11800 block of Manda Drive, Huntley, cover assignment/standby; engine 5:01 p.m. – 300 block of North Seminary Avenue, malfunctioning alarm system sounded; shift commander, truck, engine, ambulance June 7

6:10 p.m. – Eastwood Drive and Lake Avenue, passenger vehicle fire; shift commander, truck 7:20 p.m. – 500 block of North Eastwood Drive, gas leak (natural or LP); truck June 8

1:36 a.m. – 1800 block of West Lake Shore Drive, unintentional alarm system activation, no fire; truck 2:39 p.m. – 10500 block of Charles Road, traffic accident with injuries/

extrication; two ambulances, shift commander, engine, truck 2:41 p.m. – 3000 block of Hidden Lake Road, malfunctioning alarm system sounded; chief, Harvard engine June 9

7:23 a.m. – 1200 block of Dean Street, unintentional alarm system activation, no fire; engine, shift commander, ambulance, truck 3 p.m. – Deepcut Road and U.S. 14, assist police or other agency; ambulance 3:38 p.m. – Route 120 and Thompson Road, assist police or other agency; ambulance, shift commander, truck 7:21 p.m. – 4500 block of Doty Road; power line down; engine, bureau 10:15 p.m. – 13600 block of West Jackson Street, power line down; engine June 10

6:43 a.m. – Catalpa Lane and Industrial North Drive, electrical wiring/equipment problem; engine 12:17 p.m. – 1700 block of South Eastwood Drive, unintentional transmission of alarm; shift commander, engine, ambulance 12:31 p.m. – 400 block of West Judd Street, malfunctioning CO detector activation; truck 5:17 p.m. – 1900 block of Sebastian Drive, malfunctioning smoke detector activation; shift commander, engine 6:13 p.m. – 3200 block of Hercules Road, system malfunction/other; engine 7:53 p.m. – 3300 block of Castle Road, system malfunction/other; shift commander, engine, truck

water discoloration, pressure variation, and turbidity. For more information, call the water department at 866-371-5699.

Fireworks show will use three entrances to park

Despite CPR efforts by a passerby at the scene, a 7-year-old boy from Rockford died from injuries he suffered in a two-vehicle collision June 4 at U.S. 14 and Route 120. Four days later, a 15-year-old girl from Harvard was fatally injured when the truck in which she was riding ran into a utility pole off Charles Road north of Woodstock.

PHOTO BY ALEX VUCHA, WOODSTOCK FIRE/RESCUE DISTRICT

Horses onboard were fine, but the driver of a truck pulling this trailer was taken to Northwestern Hospital McHenry in good condition after his truck hit a tree at Country Club and Fleming Roads about 6:15 p.m. Sunday, according to the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District. Police did not release the name of either victim. In both cases, they were flown by medical helicopters to outof-county hospitals, where they died. The driver of the minivan in which the boy was riding, Maria Diaz-Nunez of Rockford, has been charged with eight traffic offenses, including failure to secure a child under 8 years in appropriate child restraint, according to the Woodstock Police Department. Police also did not identify the five other people injured about 3:55 p.m. June 4 when a minivan, which had been in the left-turn lane on Route 120, made a right turn onto U.S. 14 and struck a westbound truck. Police said a nurse assistant on the

way home from work about 4 p.m. stopped to administer CPR to the child. Police said the three occupants of the truck declined treatment by the Woodstock Fire/Rescue District. Police said the 17-year-old driver was taken by ambulance to Northwestern Hospital in Woodstock, where she was released later Monday.

Wonder Lake flushing water system this week The Wonder Lake water department will flush the water system this week. Signs will be posted during the flushing. Residents may experience some

AT T E N T IO N READERS!

Woodstock police arrested a 37-year-old local man on charges of attempted murder and two other felonies after a fight late Saturday near the downtown. Ricardo James Carreno Jr. was being held without bond Monday at the McHenry County Jail after he reportedly attacked a 32-year-old man who was flown via helicopter to a trauma center in Libertyville for treatment of stab wounds. Ricardo J. Police were Carreno Jr. called shortly after midnight Saturday about a violation of an order of protection involving a 31-year-old female acquaintance of Carreno. Officers responded to a gas station on North Madison Street. The woman and three children she shares with Carreno were at the scene.

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NEWS

Traffic accidents claim two lives over four days

Man faces three felonies after fight at gas station

June 17-23, 2020

The Woodstock Police Department has announced all three entrances to Emricson Park will be open July 4 for Woodstock’s fireworks display. Two entrances are on West Jackson Street – Water Works and next to Calvary Cemetery – and the third on South Street. Everyone will need to enter the park in a vehicle and will be directed to a parking spot. After the fireworks, drivers will exit the park through the gate they entered. A $10 parking fee will be used to pay for the fireworks. For more information, call Jim Campion at 815-459-8440.

5 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

IN BRIEF

OPINION

June 17-23, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Opinion

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Cheryl Wormley Publisher, Co-Owner

Paul Wormley Co-Owner

Woodstock, IL • 1987

THE EDITORIAL BOARD

Cheryl Wormley Larry Lough Sandy Kucharski Ken Farver

New experiences teach us new lessons

Who doesn’t love a little al fresco dining under an umbrella outside your favorite restaurant on a warm and sunny spring day? And what’s not to like about a relaxing (or brisk) June walk through beautiful Emricson Park, a treat for the body and soul? These are good times. We are entitled to a little rationalization these days while our dining and activity options are limited by state restrictions as the coronavirus wanes (we hope). Phase 3 of Restore Illinois, which went into effect May 29, has meant a valuable boost to business for restaurants and retailers. We are, apparently, now exposed to less risk in routine living options that we took for granted not so long ago. But much of that depends on our continued use of face masks and social distancing. It won’t hurt you, and it might save you or someone you know. If we don’t blow it – and there is a very real potential for that – we could move into Phase 4 next week, which would open the doors to restaurants, bars, and schools. The progress we have made is due in no small part to the sacrifices that state restrictions have required us to make – reluctantly, in many cases – over the past 2½ months, If you follow the news, you know that many states in the South – from Texas to Florida – are suffering from a resurgence in COVID-19 infections after the armchair medical experts who sit in their governors’ seats refused to give the disease the respect it deserved. While prematurely opening their economies was popular with many impatient citizens who had grown too comfortable in our society of convenience, who knows how many lives the populist politics will cost? We have heard similar voice in Illinois, too – even lawsuits and calls for recall of the governor over his shelter-in-place order.

Me and your Grandma have been practicing social distancing for so long we dang-near perfected it. Grandpa, have you and Grandma been practicing social distancing?

EDITORIAL CARTOON BY JIM MANSFIELD

As we have suggested before, history will be the judge of who was right. People who survive will have learned something. Among those lessons might be that some businesses need to change their operating models to be more adaptable in a health crisis. More virtual shopping, more curbside pickup and delivery of goods – the kinds of things a digital society has been moving

us toward. Not everyone will want to do it, to change their habits, to live differently. But we’re nowhere near the end of this pandemic, even as life slowly returns to something resembling normal. Don’t ignore the new lessons life is trying to teach us during this new experience.

» GUEST COLUMN

‘When we realize how valuable education can be’ Woodstock has been my family’s hometown for generations. I’m proud of its tradition of tolerance and acceptance for people of all races, backgrounds, identities and beliefs. This is a spirit I hope to foster as a leader in our community and of our school district. Like all Americans, I’m saddened and angered by the recent deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and far too many others over the years who were unjustly killed because of institutional racism that exists in this

country. These kinds of deaths must stop, and each one of us has a role to play to make our country and our community places where everyone is treated justly. Mike Let me be clear Moan to our students and Guest Columnist families of color – African American, Latino and others

– we are one family, and we will always support you. We will not tolerate treatment that is less than the dignity each one of you deserves. Your lives matter. Your hopes, your dreams, your future – they all matter. That is our promise, and it should be the promise of everyone in our school community. While we’re all hurting, I remain hopeful. As a history teacher, I know that great strides have been made in America after periods of great pain. We wouldn’t have civil rights without the

struggles of those who marched and demanded it. Now we sense a new shift and a new awakening toward racial justice. We can disagree on points of how we get there, but we can no longer disagree that we must. These are the moments when we realize how valuable education can be. While we teach many skills, there are none more valuable than teaching young people what it means to be a good citizen, a valuable community

Continued on Next page

member, a person who seeks justice and peace. Racism is learned. It can be unlearned. It must be unlearned. This is a task we don’t take lightly as educators. Students from the elementary school level on up learn these lessons in their classrooms. Tolerance, kindness, acceptance, bravery are all values that our teachers emphasize. We know you’ll join with us in sharing these values and have these important discussions in your homes. I stand with those who demand better. We applaud those who peacefully use their voices to demand better communities and a better nation for African Americans, for Latinos, members of the LGBTQ community and for

all minority groups who have faced injustice. While a dark time for our nation, there will be better days. We will keep reaching closer to the day when members of all minority groups will feel appreciated as full citizens. We all owe them that much, and we can do our part as individuals to join together toward that goal. Nearly 60 years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. envisioned a world where we’d be judged by the content of our character rather than the color of our skin. Despite the passage of time, we must believe we’re still on our way toward his dream of that Promised Land. Mike Moan is superintendent of Woodstock School District 200.

n 241 photographs and three graphics, including all 161 Marian Central graduates, plus Memorial Day, outdoor dining, farmers market, a wedding, a tribute to neighbors who died from COVID-19, an Eagle Scout, children, and many, many more n 63 salutes to high school senior athletes n 32 businesses’ advertisements –16 of them advertise every week. Regretfully, there isn’t room to name each one. Look at the ads in this issue, and shop and do business in Woodstock. n 28 briefs, including COVID updates, accident reports, and announcements about blood drives, upcoming events, and area young people graduating from college n Six personal columns, including Paul Lockwood’s about limericks n Four letters to the editor n Three editorials and three Woodstock-specific editorial cartoons n All of the weekly extras: obituaries; public safety, real estate, and religion listings; calendar of events; Sudoku, word search and comics; Flashbacks; classifieds and service directory; and public notices All in just three weeks of Independents, and there will be even more in the next three weeks. Be an Independent person. Subscribe. See the ad on Page 5.

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

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OPINION

Continued from Previous page

everyone in the coverage area, and it gives us a chance to peddle our wares. At last week’s meeting of the editorial staff, photographer Ken Cheryl Farver said: “Some Wormley people think The Declarations Independent is a monthly, because they get the free one. We are a weekly! You need to tell them what they are missing.” Yes, The Independent is a weekly. Here’s what was delivered to Independent subscribers the past three weeks and what the others of you, unfortunately, missed: n 25 bylined news stories and features, including: • District 200 facing a $161 million bond debt and the school board looking at options: combining the athletic programs at the two high school, eliminating middle school sports, maybe cutting co-curricular activities like music and art, and/or increasing real estate taxes; • The city of Woodstock owning 17 acres of land in the downtown area as part of its long-term plan for downtown development; • Reactions of owners of stores, businesses and restaurants reopening under new COVID-19 rules; and • Woodstock’s plans for Fourth of July fireworks.

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

June 17-23, 2020

Editor Larry Lough covers lots of meetings where important decisions are made. And I mean a lot of meetings. The Woodstock City Council meets twice a month, the Woodstock District 200 school board meets about 20 times a year, the Woodstock Fire/ Rescue District Board meets monthly. Larry goes to all of them, takes notes, and writes news stories about them for The Independent and to post on thewoodstockindependent.com and on social media. Larry also attends important Woodstock commission meetings and board and council workshops. Last week, he attended the city of Woodstock’s Historic Preservation Commission’s Zoom meeting. Historic Preservation, like most public bodies, has a time for public comment. When the public-comment time came, City Planner Darrell Moore, who was monitoring the meeting, said, “Larry is the only public here.” Larry might have been the “only public” at the meeting, but he was listening for you – and every one who depends on The Independent for accurate, timely reporting of what’s happening in our community. Our subscribers reap those benefits every week. But everyone isn’t a subscriber. So, the third Wednesday of every month, we mail The Independent to everyone in the 60098 ZIP code and about half of the people in 60097. This gives businesses the opportunity to reach

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SCHOOLS

June 19, 2020 is

Schools

WHS’s Woodstockopoly project advances in national ‘pitch competition

June 17-23, 2020

By Janet Dovidio

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Two INCubatoredu teams participated at WHS, under the guidance of Dustin Smith, the school’s career and technical education teacher, and one was announced last week as a quarterfinalist for the INCubator National Pitch Competition. Classes began in September. The search-and-discover process took place the first semester with the help of eight coaches. The creation of a product and validation were completed throughout the second semester with the help of 10 coaches. Thirty community members were available to students through video conferencing, Smith said, and “their input was crucial.” “When we had to abruptly switch to eLearning and virtual connection in March, we allowed no excuses for COVID-19,” he said. “Innovation never stops. Students start with a problem, solve that problem, and build a business plan.” Team Gagarin Keyboard included Kyle Troy and Rachel Straub. They addressed the difficulty of typing in different languages on a keyboard, a timeconsuming task for anyone communicating in several languages for work or personal use.

SCHOOLS

The INCubatoredu program is a two-semester high school challenge that offers students an entrepreneurial experience under the guidance of volunteer coaches and mentors from the local business community. Student teams identify a real problem, develop a product, establish a business plan, and pitch the idea to a group of judges at “Pitch Night.” Business leaders from the Woodstock area volunteered their time as coaches and mentors for the teams at Woodstock High School and Marian Central Catholic High School this past school year. Coaches spent several days providing context for specific areas. Mentors were assigned to a particular team to offer advice and encouragement during the process.

Woodstock High School

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

INCubatoredu hatches bright ideas

COURTESY PHOTOS

At Woodstock High School, Woodstockopoly was the winning project. Team members were (from left) Austin Mathews, Tanner Hurless, Albert Hernandez, and Adam Thomas. The Gagarin Keyboard has LED keys that are programmed to switch languages easily and quickly. There is currently competition for this idea, such as Google Translate, but many programs involve copying and pasting. The team’s motto is, “The keyboard that travels the world.” The second WHS team, Woodstockopoly, which is a board game of the same name, has advanced in the National Pitch Competition. “We’re beyond excited,” Smith said in an email, “and hoping they make it to the next round!” Team members were Tanner Hurless, Albert Hernandez, Austin Mathews and Adam Thomas. This team felt that small towns need family-friendly fundraisers that also provided a souvenir and gave advertisers continuing exposure to residents.

Students researched competitors and felt that existing “opoly” games did not meet all of their criteria, especially for the familiarity in a small town. The game could easily be marketed through local events, newspaper ads, contests, fliers, email lists, and local stores. It also provided special family time while playing the game. The final step – Pitch Night – was held virtually with creative visual, video, and PowerPoint presentations by all students. The team of judges – Patricia Miller of Matrix 4, Ryan Wormley of Benjamin F. Edwards, Pam Compata of Blackhawk Bank, and Dan Hart of D.C. Cobb’s – voted unanimously for Woodstockopoly. In moving forward, all of the businesses on the game board committed to contributing to the project, and the team generated $3,500 in sales.

The game is now available to the public with the hopes of raising $16,000 to get the game into family rooms. If that succeeds, the team will progress to board games for neighboring communities. Visit woodstockopoly.com for details. “This experience is phenomenal,” Smith said. “It is cool to see the process grow from a few words on paper to a complete business endeavor in nine months. I am very proud of all of the students’ efforts and especially working under our coronavirus situation. I look forward to selling many board games!”

Marian Central

Marian Central featured four teams in this year’s competition. Six local business members served as guest instructors and team advisers along with the guidance of business teacher Joe White in his first year of teaching the class at Marian. Jessica Passi and Annmarie Roeder Continued on Next page

June 17-23, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

COURTESY PHOTOS

Students (from left) Jessica Passi, Annmarie Roeder, Jacob Noonan, Alex Hardtand, and Luis Reales work on projects at Marian.

SCHOOLS

Continued from Previous page

formed Jessica’s Frosting team. Their business would produce the world’s first refrigerated frosting of all-natural ingredients. It would provide small batches in branded jars to sell at area farmers markets. The team’s goal was to develop a customer base first, then sell the frosting in the refrigerated section of stores. Team Buddie Box, made up of

Matt Cotting, Brian Pascente, and Riley Sarto, was a nonprofit business to create and market craft activity boxes to middle schools, senior centers, and facilities for the developmentally disabled. Each box included four different crafts: stress ball, slime, cork boat, and beaded bracelets. That assortment was designed to maintain motor and cognitive skills and to promote socialization.

Da Plug team had five members: Alex Hardt, Carly Hoover, Marlon Pomilli, Matt Jablonski, and Christian KazyGarey. Their business model used 3D printers to create truck/SUV hitch inserts with dealer logos to equip sales lots with a branded item. The team saw this as a replacement for promotional license frames. Ryan Conlon, Brendan Stoll, Peter Walsdorf, Logan Micheletto, and Matt Kaufmann were the Midnight Munchies team. They sought to cook inexpensive frozen pizzas in the ovens of their parents’ homes and use UberEats to deliver them late at night to high school and college students. One judge commented that the idea was so bad that it was good. “The biggest challenge during the virtual event was overcoming the disappointment of not formally presenting in front of their parents, fellow students, and Pitch Night judges,” White said. “But given the circumstances, each team did the best they could.” Pitch Night judges were Paul Christensen, city of Woodstock finance director; Mike Domek, The Domek Foundation and Marian Class of 1987; and Krista Piwonka, CPA and school parent. “Each of the teams did well in the virtual Pitch Night competition,” White said. “The judges liked Jessica’s

Jessica’s Frosting topped the INCubatoredu project at Marian Central Catholic High School. It was the product of students Jessica Passi and Annmarie Roeder. Frosting presentation the best, especially their honesty about not being able to attend sampling events due to the coronavirus.” Each team at Marian did a “pivot” during the first semester, White said, when they dropped their initial product/services to pursue something completely different. The abandoned projects were an unbreakable shoelace, a wearable flashlight, a vinyl adhesive covering for the midsoles of teens’ tennis shoes, and a mail-order business that connected independent lacrosse racquet stringers to customers. White said the entrepreneurial class shared a new business mindset: “Instead of looking for a job, you’re creating one.”

A&E

By Kevin Lyons DISTRICT 200

COURTESY PHOTO

Art teacher Katie Wagner hands out summer art supplies to a student during a distribution day June 4 at Mary Endres Elementary School.

the summer break. Principals Keri Pala and Julie Smith, along with other teachers and friends, shared the link

NOW SHOWING

Visitors examine works of art in the 33rd anniversary national show of “Women’s Works: Celebrating Women’s Creativity” on display through the end of June at the Old Courthouse Arts Center, 101 N. Johnson St. More than 100 paintings, photographs, sculptures, and more are part of the exhibit by female artists from throughout the U.S.

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Beer and cider will be sold this weekend in a Clear the Cooler fundraiser for the Woodstock Opera House. Sales are planned from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 20, to clear the beer/cider stock while it’s still within “best by” dates. The Opera House has been closed since mid-March as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, and all performances were canceled. Beer will be sold as six packs or four packs with a variety of brands available – and even a few mystery packs for the adventurous beer drinker, according to a news release. Beer orders can be placed in advance online through the Opera House website, or may be purchased in person on the day of the event. Pickup of orders on Saturday can be made with drive-up, curbside pickup at the stage doors at the rear of the Opera House on Calhoun Street, or by walk-up at the front door of the Stage Left Café, 121 Van Buren St. Beer buyers must show a valid ID, with proof of age. Orders placed in advance must be picked up by the person who placed the order. The event welcomes donations with the orders to help the Opera House weather the COVID storm. Order online and get more information at woodstockoperahouse.com.

Virtual talent show calls for different types of acts

Showtime Theatre of Huntley, the resident theater of the Huntley Park District, has set a deadline of June 30 for submissions to the 2020 Virtual Talent Show. Because the theater isn’t open for the event during the COVID-19 pandemic, performers are encouraged to submit video of their talents to be broadcast on the It’s Showtime Theatre of Huntley Facebook page, facebook.com/ShowtimeHuntley/ Actors, singers, dancers, solo musicians, bands, comedians, illusionists, puppeteers, and others are invited. Email videos by June 30 to Stephanie Peters at speters@huntleyparks. org. Entires should include the name(s) of those in the video and a description of what they are performing. Videos should be no more than 10 minutes.

SCHOOLS

Teachers in Woodstock School District 200 kept instruction going despite closed doors for three months and learned many lessons of their own during the eLearning process. One challenge art teachers faced was that some students lacked art supplies in their homes. Katie Wagner, an elementary school art teacher at Mary Endres and Greenwood schools, said she soon found out that District 200 wasn’t the only one with that problem, so she investigated solutions. “I’m pretty active with professional learning communities on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram,” she said, “and I noticed a few other art teachers on those platforms setting up free art supply stations outside their schools and in their neighborhoods. I thought this was a wonderful idea, so I started thinking about how we might be able to get more creative materials in the hands of our students.” Wagner created an Amazon wishlist to seek donations to create 50 bags of art supplies that students could use in their homes and continue to express themselves creatively over

for the wishlist, and members of the community filled the donation request within two days. “I couldn’t believe it!” Wagner said. “Thanks to my friends, family, D-200 staff and a few random people on the Internet, I had all the art supplies needed to create 50 bags full of supplies, delivered to my doorstep within a few days! I worked on organizing and packing the bags over the following weeks.” After sorting the watercolors, markers, sketch pads, and other items into Ziploc bags, Wagner then created a Google form so families could make an appointment to pick up the supply bags at Greenwood and Mary Endres. Wagner distributed the supply bags on June 4. Wagner now hopes to get enough donations for an additional 50 art supply bags to distribute to students this summer. Donations can be made on the following link: amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ ls/3Q3JIT6PRACJZ?ref_=wl_share. “It has been simply amazing to see how many people want to help with this project and support art,” Wagner said. “It is truly better to give than receive, and I am filled with so much joy and excitement that we are going to be able to provide so many great art materials for our students.” Kevin Lyons is communications director for Woodstock School District 200.

Opera House fundraiser to sell beer, cider supply

June 17-23, 2020

Teacher’s program equips art students

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Lavender farming comes to Woodstock If crop survives rain, restaurants and bakers could benefit

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Woodstock resident Steve Aavang, owner of Finch Farm, plants lavender. Some varieties came as plugs, and some came bare-root and dormant.

‘Took a lot of work’

Before that happens, Aavang has a lot a work ahead of him. He bought 500 lavender plants – of all different varieties – from Michigan. While some were plugs, others were bare-root and dormant. “I figured if they survived Michigan winters, they would survive here,” he said. Included in his selections were Essence Purple, Sweet Romance, Hidcote, Grosso, Phenomenal, Blue Cushion, Deep Purple, and Silver Mist. “It took a lot of work to plant these,” Aavang explained.

added bone meal again. That was in mid-March. He hopes that he will have 400 plants that survive, but he has also saved clippings from the plants to expand the crop or replace plants that did not survive the move. He dug the holes, put in some gravel, gave the area bone meal, planted the plug or dormant lavender, added soil, sprinkled it with soil conditioner, and

Too much water?

Aavang is experiencing the same plight as local crop farmers.

See LAVENDER, Page 18

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

As lavender lattés, sweet-smelling sachets, and dried floral bouquets stir up those vacation memories of the seemingly distant past, Woodstock resident Steve Aavang hopes to bring those memories a little closer to home. Aavang recently acquired the property originally settled by John Finch – land that had been passed down for generations until it landed in Aavang’s hands. He has taken time to think about how he might use the land – which is part of The Land Conservancy trust – and his careful thought led him to a rather unique crop. The sweet scent of lavender piqued his interest, and after some careful research, he decided the land adjacent to the old dairy barn would be the perfect location for his purple fields. With the nearest known lavender fields in Bloomington and Carbondale, Door County and Baraboo, Wis., and upper Michigan, Aavang saw a need and a place. “I think I see a lot of things in the future,” Aavang explained. “I am looking at selling lavender to local chocolate shops, and I’d like to look to work with restaurants and to bakers who want to add lavender to their recipes. “ He also would like to offer a cutyour-own-bouquet season, as well as dried bouquets. And he envisions gift baskets that might include candies, sachets, candles, essential oils, soap, and possibly honey grown on the farm itself.

Transactions filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office from May 19 to 22. ■ Residence at 8610 Shady Lane, Wonder Lake, was sold by Sharon A. Hoffman, Wonder Lake, to Blake M. Brittain, Wonder Lake, for $120,000. ■ Residence at 611 Indigo Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Todd Swartzloff, Yorkville, to Emmett J. Biedron, Woodstock, for $250,000. ■ Residence at 1301 Ridgemoor Trail, Bull Valley, was sold by David A. Luck, Fletcher, N.C., to Steven Charles Reuter, Bull Valley, for $825,000. ■ Residence at 3194 Shenandoah Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Daniel P. Wever Sr., Merriville, Ind., to Alfonso Butera, Woodstock, for $135,000. ■ Vacant land, approximately 16.5 acres, at Allendale and Greenwood Roads, Woodstock, was sold by The Daniel C. Esenther Trust, Willowbrook, to Michele Aavang, Woodstock, for $149,000. ■ Residence at 3105 Shenandoah Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Brian Kashmier, Woodstock, to Brittany Potts, Woodstock, for $150,000. ■ Residence at 450 Lake Ave. Apt. 1, Woodstock, was sold by Jose B. Duran, Woodstock, to Daysi J. De La Paz, Genoa City, Wis., for $60,000. ■ Residence at 10319 Saddlebred Trail, Woodstock, was sold by Raymond W. Bartoszewski, Castle Rock, Colo., to Darrell L. Nicks, Woodstock, for $330,000. ■ Residence at 805 Dean St., Woodstock, was sold by Hometown, Ltd., Woodstock, to Dean Meyers, Woodstock, for $169,000. ■ Residence at 813 Queen Anne St., Woodstock, was sold by Katherine C. Schultz, Woodstock, to Samuel Garcia-Nava, Woodstock, for $169,000.

June 17-23, 2020

By Tricia Carzoli

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

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LAVENDER

IN BRIEF

“There has been a lot of rain,” Aavang said. “The land is slanted, so the water will run off. The lavender needs water, but this is almost too much. Lavender is a Mediterranean plant, so it likes an arid climate.” The heavy rains might have been too much, but he remains hopeful. “These are hearty,” he said. “I am enjoying the endeavor, and I know that if they can survive in Michigan and upper Wisconsin, that they should do just fine here. Farming is always a risk – but you have to take a risk. I feel like I went full-circle.” His grandfather, Irv Aavang Sr., lost his farm in the Great Depression. His father – Irv Aavang Jr. – was the only Aavang to live in the city, Woodstock. “All the rest of the Aavang family were farmers,” he said. “We grew up in the city [of Woodstock], and now, I finally bought a farm. I look forward to all the opportunities here.” Finch Farm is located on Route 120 at the eastern edge of Woodstock. Aavang currently is rehabbing a home on the property, working on the barn as a venue, nurturing hazelnut bushes, and caring for his chestnut plantation – while he also studies the history of the farm, preserves the history, and

Keefe Real Estate will host its annual open house tour this weekend in McHenry County and southeastern Wisconsin. The event will be Saturday and Sunday, June 20 and 21, with more than 50 openhouses in the region to give home buyers a chance to see a number of homes in one weekend. Unlike past years, this year will feature both in-person and virtual open houses, the Lake Geneva, Wis.-based company announced. Owner Tom Keefe said the sales season was pushed back this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but buyer activity had returned to normal or higher over the past three weeks. Keefe agents will accommodate seller and buyer preferences by practicing social distancing and other safe showing practices. In cases where in-person open houses are not possible, buyers may view live home tours on social media from their own homes. To preview properties that are on the tour, visit keeferealestate.com/OHT or follow Keefe Real Estate on Facebook for updates. Homes may be added through June 19. For more information, call 262-2484492 or email info@keeferealestate.com.

Annual open house tour this weekend for Keefe

Continued from Page 9

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY TRICIA CARZOLI

Steven Aavang plants lavender at Finch Farm outside Woodstock.

remembers the man who broke the sod and built the house. “I bought the farm from his descendants,” Aavang said. “And I’ll keep his memory alive by keeping his name on the farm. It is a good name for a farm.”

Community

When Erin Byrne McElroy saw her community struggling in the middle of a pandemic, she knew she wanted to help. “I thought, ‘What could I do as one citizen?’” she said, “and I really just looked at what I’ve always cared about – being kind and in service to others.” After some conversations with her friends and colleagues, Project Front Line was born. Created by McElroy, Anne Marie Brown, Devon Tessmer, and Rod Crandall, it was an initiative to support local restaurants and cafés while helping lift the spirits of healthcare workers and other frontline employees. “We knew the restaurants and bakeries had to transition,” McElroy said, “that there was going to be strain on frontline and health-care workers.” The team wanted to make an impact on both sides. “We thought, ‘We have great restaurants in the county; let’s lift them up and keep them open,” she explained. “[Let’s deliver to frontline workers by] following protocols and coordinating it and doing it safely.’ Everything was scheduled; we honored people’s time and boosted their morale.”

Following precautions

The team set up a Google form for restaurants to fill out, allowing them to give details of pricing, hours, meal sizes, and whether they could make deliveries.

COURTESY PHOTO

Kathryn Loprino of Public House restaurant in Woodstock delivers food for workers at Northwestern Hospital Huntley as part of Project Front Line. When contacting frontline workers, the team gathered information such as the number of shifts, the number of people, and food preferences. The group was then able to coordinate with restaurants near those locations in order to make the deliveries. Project Front Line also had volunteers help with various tasks, using a Google form to garner interest. Kerry Parrish, an art teacher in Crystal Lake District 155, coordinated digital artworks from her art students to be made and sent with deliveries. Tanya Thomas helped with deliveries and promoted the project through social media and a dinosaur parade. Other volunteers who helped with deliveries include Jocelyn Harding and Margaret Miller. McElroy emphasized that all deliveries followed social distancing guidelines.

“It was important; we wanted to follow the rules,” she said. “We made a list for Northwestern and Mercy, and people on the committee really made sure we were following protocols and getting permission.” McElroy also praised members of the community for donating, sharing the project on social media, and suggesting restaurants to participate. “By sharing daily, linking the local restaurant or cafe, saying if it was curbside or takeout, people became more aware of these businesses,” she said. “Some people are now more aware of frontline workers and these facilities that work day in and day out.”

Impact on Woodstock

The project kicked off on March 21 with a GoFundMe page, and in nine weeks, the goal of $50,000 was reached. Throughout the nine weeks,

Enabling others to help

Though the project has now ended, McElroy could see the model and mission being replicated for a different goal or fundraiser. “I think there’s something special about being a light and doing random acts of kindness,” she said. “Not just thinking about it, but being in action, and how quickly and virtually we were able to enable others to participate. I think as we emerge anew, the way we might have gathered or volunteered or how we even thought about contributing, has changed. “We had beautiful and emotional conversations with strangers. Because we connected with frontline workers and volunteers through this project, we’ve exchanged how to meet with each other in person. ... You can’t put a price tag on that.” McElroy observed that people “yearned to help one another.” See FRONT LINE, Page 20

COMMUNITY

By Lydia LaGue

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

Project Front Line was able to use these funds to patronize 40 restaurants in McHenry County, including 11 from Woodstock. These restaurants then provided meals for Project Front Line to deliver to 8,130 frontline workers throughout the county. In Woodstock alone, 2,103 frontline workers were served across 16 delivery sites, including but not limited to Sheltered Village, MercyHealth Immediate Care, and Northwestern Hospital. Nearly $11,000 was spent at Woodstock restaurants and cafés, including Napoli’s, Cesaroni’s, and The Sugar Circle. More of the stories of participating local businesses can be found on Project Front Line’s Facebook page. “We had meaningful conversations with staff,” McElroy reflected. “There was a lot of gratitude from the front line. They said things like, ‘That meal was so warm and good; I didn’t have time to leave the hospital to get a meal, but you provided for me.’” With remaining funds at the end of the project, the final act was a $3,000 donation to the United Way of McHenry County COVID-19 Fund.

June 17-23, 2020

Project lifted spirits, offered food to frontline workers in coronavirus battle

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Helping community with kindness

June 17-23, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

IN BRIEF

Master Gardeners cancel next month’s Garden Walk

PHOTO DETECTIVE

The annual Garden Walk, scheduled for July 11, has been canceled because of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic The University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners, along with McHenry County College, said in a news release that the cancellation complied with U of I’s recommendations to postpone or cancel events that are expected to draw more than 50 people or draw participants from a wide geographic area Registration refunds will be handled through MCC. For more information, call Master Gardeners at 815-338-3737 or visit web. extension.illinois.edu/lm.

COMMUNITY

Historical Society gets pandemic relief grant

The McHenry County Historical Society & Museum in Union was among 13 nonprofits that received a combined $26,000 in grants from Landmarks Illinois, a statewide historic preservation advocacy organization based in Chicago. Through the Landmarks Illinois COVID19 Organization Relief Grant Program, each nonprofit will receive a one-time $2,000 grant, according to a news release. The money may be used for essential, organizational expenditures, including employee payroll and rent and/ or improvements to the organization’s digital platforms, such as their websites, that help to promote their mission and continue their programming. Landmarks Illinois created its Relief Grant Program this spring to help community development, preservation, and other partner nonprofits throughout the state during the coronavirus health crisis, the release said.

FRONT LINE

Continued from Page 19

“No matter what, we can still be kind to one another and be a part of something that’s positive,” she said. “We had an overwhelming sense of pride for where we live, and we were grateful for the sense of community and connection and giving kindness in different ways.” McElroy emphasized that people in their workplace, at home, in a religious organization, or anywhere can make a difference “with your positivity, your light, and your talents.” “No act of kindness is ever not worth it,” she said. “... If you can get involved, do some physical work; a lot is possible. If we take the goodness out of our hearts and put it into the world, that’s the best thing we can do.

COURTESY PHOTOS

Before the Die Cast factory was demolished, photos were gathered from the company’s office, put into an album, and given to the Woodstock Public Library. The photos include these, from two different strikes at the plant. In the first, workers hold handmade signs. The library does not have identification for the workers or the year of the strike. The second photo, with the UAW signs, is dated October 1988, but no workers are identified. The second strike lasted until 1990 and eventually caused the plant to close. If you have information about either photo, please contact Maggie Crane at MaggieC@ woodstockil.info . – Susan W. Murray

21 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT June 17-23, 2020

COMMUNITY

Real Community. Real Leadership. Real Woodstock. What does it mean to be a good neighbor in Woodstock? Longtime library leader Pam Moorhouse not only helped educate generations of Woodstock residents, she has been a staple of the volunteer community, representing

Woodstock’s families and being a good neighbor to all that call Woodstock home. Whether you’re looking for a community of leaders or your perfect home, Woodstock has it all.

COMMUNITY

June 17-23, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

When does estate planning become important? Legal estate planning is not for only the wealthy, and not only about planning for an organized estate administration after your death. It is also a responsible step for all adults to take to prepare for certain risks in life. If you have children or assets, no matter your age, it is time to have a plan. Preparing a legal Patricia C. estate plan is not Kraft necessarily expen- Estate Planning sive, but make sure Demystified you get a complete understanding of the fee before you begin. A good estate plan has financial and personal value that well

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outweigh the cost. Not only will your survivors save money by avoiding unnecessary probate or guardianship, but the plan will prevent arguments among children when deciding who should be executor or who receives Mom’s jewelry or Dad’s tools. And it will save time, money, and confusion when someone has to decide for you, when you are unable to speak for yourself, what medical steps to take (or not to take) at the end of your life. Like many things, estate planning becomes more manageable when you understand the basic concepts and terms. A will accomplishes some estate planning goals, but other documents can be equally or more important in an estate plan. Many are surprised to learn that a will does

nothing to avoid probate. Few people know/believe this! What happens if I do no legal estate planning? In general, if you have no will or trust at your death, Illinois laws determine what happens to your assets and your minor children. If you become disabled during your life, the court will authorize a guardian to make medical and financial decisions for you. More specifically, the following results will occur when there is no estate plan in place: 1. A probate court will decide who will be guardian of minor children. 2. If the deceased person was married and had children, his “probate assets” will be distributed onehalf to the spouse and one-half to

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the children. This might be reason enough to decide that you want an estate plan, because most spouses want the survivor to receive all of the assets, and the children to inherit only if both parents have died. NOTE: If an asset transfers automatically at your death, like life insurance or a joint tenancy home, then it is not a “probate asset” and does not follow this rule. A. An administrator of a probate estate must buy a surety bond to assure his faithful management of the estate’s assets. A will or a trust can waive this expensive requirement. B. Children receive their entire inheritance at age 18. Obviously, there is the possibility of poor decision-making. Also, a young person with new wealth can become a target for scammers. A trust can hold back some or all of the money until your child is more mature. C. A probate court proceeding might be necessary to transfer title of probate assets to beneficiaries. Probate can cost several thousand dollars and takes six to 12 months or longer to complete. Holding assets in a trust or naming beneficiaries on assets will avoid probate on the assets. D. If you become disabled, endof-life medical decisions will be made by your spouse or all of your children, but ongoing health care decisions will be made by a courtappointed guardian. Financial decisions can only be made by a courtappointed guardian. If you own a small business, imagine how disruptive this would be. Powers of attorney executed before your disability avoid the need for a guardian in most cases. These are some of the most common reasons that people choose to set up a legal estate plan. The plan could include a will, a trust, a transfer on death Instrument, a shareholder agreement and powers of attorney for health care and property, or other documents to make sure your wishes are known and followed with little or no court intervention. Patricia C. Kraft is a Woodstock attorney in general practice, including estate and succession planning. Her column provides information, not legal advice. Like other lawyers, she offers free initial consultation. You may contact her at Pat@PatriciaKraftLaw.com.

Platforms built to provide safe nesting for common terns By Susan Murray

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

The DNR’s attempt to create a safe nesting space was the result of a “significant” reduction in the common terns’ population during the 20th century, as noted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The distinguished pale gray birds are marked by a black cap and a straight orange bill tipped in black. Their short orange legs contrast with the birds’ elegant long and narrow wings,

COMMUNITY

Saving the terns

June 17-23, 2020

A boater out on Lake Michigan in mid-April might have scratched his head had he come across a floating platform constructed of Styrofoam, plywood, and chicken wire. Resembling a makeshift raft at first glance, the platform serves as a safe nesting area for multiple pairs of common terns and represents 95 hours of work on the part of Woodstock resident Reid Kenyon to fulfill the requirements of his Eagle Scout project. With the added challenge of working on his capstone project during the coronavirus stay-at-home order, Kenyon, a 10-year Scouting veteran, drew on his wellspring of perseverance to complete the endeavor. The challenge of working through a Reid pandemic was Kenyon nowhere in sight when Kenyon’s Troop 329 Scoutmaster, John Nelson, suggested the project idea to Kenyon and his father, Randy, while the three took part in a 100-mile hike-out in the High Plains of New Mexico last summer. Telling the two that he had discovered what might be “a cool project” for Reid, Nelson explained that, in the spring, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources had built and launched a prototype of a nesting platform that ultimately attracted 13 mating pairs of common terns.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Eagle Scout project for the birds

COURTESY PHOTOS

Reid Kenyon stands with some of his fellow Troop 329 Scouts who assisted him in assembling two nesting platforms for common terns as his Eagle Scout project. Shown (from left) are Christian Kazy-Garey, Chris Nelson, Adam Thomas, Kenyon, and Daniel Funk. outlined in black. With a local nesting area that ranges from Gary to Milwaukee, the beaches and flat rocky islands where common terns take up residence make them vulnerable to predators, human disturbance, chemical pollution, and the rising waters of Lake Michigan. Nelson’s enthusiasm for Reid to replicate the project was contagious. “It ignited after that,” Randy Kenyon said. Working under the direction of Brad Semel, a Natural Heritage biologist in the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Reid oversaw a team of nine Scouts who helped him to build two platforms, assisted by four adult leaders. Prep work consumed the first 46 hours of the project, followed by 49 hours of construction. “When you join Scouting, you’re always looking up to the older Scouts,” Reid said. “It’s weird to think that I’m the older Scout now, but that’s the coolest part.” The platforms’ bases were put together with a combination of Styrofoam and old boards. Next, Reid and his fellow Scouts added landscaping cloth and plywood.

Two-by-fours were spaced about the platform to serve as fence posts. Finally, the team hammered chicken wire to the posts to form the perimeter that protects the chicks from falling out. Just before launching, sand and sticks from the Lake Michigan beach would be strewn atop the platform to mimic the areas where the terns like to nest. The 10-by-12-foot size of the two platforms dictated that they be built outside, in winter weather with temperatures in the 20s and 30s. Getting the alignment precise on the second platform turned into an hours-long project.

Missing the launch

With a plan to launch the platforms from the Naval Station Great Lakes near North Chicago, everyone going to the launch had to go through two weeks of background checks. Then, with a planned launch date of April 4, the stay-at-home order intervened. At the end of March, Reid found out he could not be present to see the fruit of his many hours of labor put into the water, and permission had been granted to launch

just one of the platforms. So, the harbormaster at the naval base launched the platform on May 5, and Reid later received a video of multiple pairs of terns congregating on his creation. “It was packed on that platform,” Reid said. The harbormaster then offered to launch the second platform, which was accomplished on May 21. Reid’s two platforms and the DNR’s prototype are now anchored in Lake Michigan. Each is home to 10 nests, with the three eggs per nest predicted to hatch this week, Wednesday or Thursday. The platforms give the terns and their chicks a protective barrier from flooding, people, predators, and toxins until they begin flying away in mid-July. “Knowing what the project contributes to and how much it benefits the tern population is the greatest satisfaction,” Reid said. In the short term, Reid will work with Clark Fischbach, the Life to Eagle Scout coordinator, to complete 32 pages of paperwork that document his project. In the future, Reid said, he looks forward to helping out with Scouting and teaching the younger Scouts.

WERQING OUT

June 17-23, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

COMMUNITY

INDEPENDENT PHOTOS BY KEN FARVER

Instructor Cindy Vanderstappen leads a group in WERQ, a dance fitness class based on pop, rock, and hip-hop music, in the parking lot of the Woodstock Recreation Center. With social-distancing restrictions in place, classes are using the green space behind the center and the parking lot out front to allow proper spacing of participants.

Happenings

Yoga in the grass is led by instructor Pamela McDonald in the area behind the Rec Center to ensure proper spacing of students.

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17 WEDNESDAY SENIOR LUNCH PICKUP

Dorr Township offices 1039 Lake Ave. 11:30 - 12:15 Available to seniors, 60 and older $5 Call to reserve, 815-338-0125

19 FRIDAY

8 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org Music by Cheryl and the Down Home Boys from 9 to 11 a.m.; Sue Fink from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

23 TUESDAY

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Woodstock Square 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org Music by Judson and Judy Brown from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

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20 SATURDAY

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14 TUESDAY

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Woodstock Square 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org Music by Courtney and Chris from 9 to 11 a.m.

11 SATURDAY

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Resurrection Catholic Church

Woodstock Square 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org

18 SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKET Woodstock Square 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. woodstockfarmersmarket.org

2918 South Country Club Road Woodstock, IL 60098

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

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

JEWISH REFORMED CONGREGATION TIKKUN OLAM 503 W. Jackson St. (St. Ann’s Episcopal Church building) Call 815-455-9236 or email tikkunolam@ hotmail.com for service information. n McHENRY COUNTY JEWISH CONGREGATION 8617 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake 815-455-1810 Worship: 7 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. Saturday NEW LIFE CHRISTIAN CENTER 5115 Dean St. • 815-337-4673 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday

30 years ago – 1990

■ The Environmental Protection Agency announced plans to test the Woodstock city landfill on Davis Road in order to estimate the cost of its cleanup. ■ The Woodstock School District 200 Board of Education announced a 19-year construction plan that would include building a new high school if voters passed a referendum for funding the plan. ■ The retail division of the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce hosted its third annual Picnic on the Square. It featured musical entertainment and 15 participating restaurants.

25 years ago – 1995

■ McHenry County property tax bills weren’t delivered on time because there was a delay in the installation of a new computer program for processing property taxes. ■ Members of the Ku Klux Klan said they were considering legal action against McHenry County because of its policy requiring groups to obtain a $1 million liability insurance policy to demonstrate on county property. The Klan members said the policy prevented them from protesting at the McHenry County Government Center.

20 years ago – 2000

■ Dick Tracy Days featured a Roaring ’20s concert on the Square. ■ Starbucks opened on the Woodstock Square.

15 years ago – 2005

■ The 559-acre Apple Creek subdivision south of Route 14 between Dean Street and Route 47 was annexed into the city of Woodstock. ■ The Woodstock City Council approved $6.7 million in alternate revenue bonds to fund city infrastructure projects. ■ Marshall Happ, a Northwood Middle School eighth-grader, set a school and conference record in the mile with a time of 4 minutes, 51 seconds.

10 years ago – 2010

■ The Marian Central Catholic High School varsity baseball team finished third in IHSA Class 3A state finals. Marian had won three of its playoff games by one run: Richmond-Burton 4-3; St Viator 7-6 in 10 innings; and

25 Grayslake Central 5-4. The Hurricanes advanced to the final four with an 8-6 victory over Nazareth. They lost 6-1 to DeKalb and then took third with an 8-3 win over Joliet Catholic. ■ Kaitlyn Zieman was named Miss Wonder Lake. Lauren Barucca was named Miss Congeniality, and Cassi Johnson was first runner-up. ■ Mary Sugden won the Miss Woodstock crown. Courtney Consolo was Miss Congeniality and first runner-up, and Katerina Litvinova was second runner-up. Sierra Lechner was Miss Photogenic, and Colleen Leonard won the talent portion of the pageant.

5 years ago – 2015

■ Tears marked SEDOM Center School’s last day. Administrators and staff gathered by the front doors to bid farewell to about 63 students. For 50 years, the school and its three satellite locations had served special needs students ages 3 to 21. SEDOM Center closed because of declining enrollment as many area school districts had begun providing their own services for the students. ■ Following in the tradition of Friday evening showcases of area artists, Second Friday Woodstock Square Artwalks were scheduled from June through September. The Northwest Area Arts Council spearheaded the project with cooperation from musical groups and downtown restaurants. ■ The 2015 recipients of Chris Foat Memorial scholarships were Woodstock High School seniors Jack Fischbach, Riley Vogel, and Mason Sutter. In seven years, the total awarded in scholarships was more than $14,000

1 year ago – 2019

■ District 200 announced the retirement of 25 teachers and staff members. ■ The Woodstock Garden Club named the garden of Lou Ness on West Jackson Street as its June Garden of the Month. The garden covered two lots and featured a small greenhouse, garden shed retreat, and a Little Free Library in addition to flowers, vegetables, and fruits. ■ Former WHS cross-country standout Spencer Hanson, 19, finished first in the 42nd Woodstock Challenge. His time for the 5K course was 17 minutes, 34.6 seconds. The top female overall was Ella Tyrell, 14, Louisville, Colo., with a time of 23:33.

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■ REDEEMER LUTHERAN 1320 Dean St. • 815-338-9370 Worship: 8:45 a.m. Sunday ■ RESURRECTION CATHOLIC 2918 S. Country Club Road 815-338-7330 Worship: 8 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Sunday; 5 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m. weekdays ■ ST. ANN’S EPISCOPAL 503 W. Jackson St. • 815-338-0950 Worship: 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday ■ ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN 401 St. John’s Road • 815-338-5159 Worship: 5 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m. Sunday ■ ST. MARY CATHOLIC 313 N. Tryon St. • 815-338-3377 Worship: 7:30 a.m. Monday - Saturday; 12:15 p.m. Monday-Friday; 5 and 6:30 p.m. (Spanish) Saturday; 7:30, 9 and 10:30 a.m., noon (Spanish), 5 p.m. Sunday ■ THE BRIDGE CHRISTIAN 2620 Bridge Lane • 815-496-0548 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS 2016 Hartland Road • 815-334-1703 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ THE VINE CHRISTIAN CHURCH 1132 N. Madison St. • 815-338-3380 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ UNITY SPIRITUAL CENTER 225 W. Calhoun St. • 815-337-3534 unitywoodstock.org Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ UPPER FOX VALLEY QUAKER MEETING 4614 Pioneer Road, McHenry 815-385-8512 Discussion and singing, 9 a.m. Sunday Worship, 10 a.m., fellowship, 11 a.m. Sunday ■ WOODSTOCK ASSEMBLY OF GOD 1201 Dean St.• 815-338-1316 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ WOODSTOCK BIBLE CHURCH 118 Benton St. Worship: 10:30 a..m. Sunday

FLASHBACKS

June 17-23, 2020

■ BAHA’I COMMUNITY OF WOODSTOCK Gatherings are open to the public the second Saturday of each month. For information: 815-337-0126 woodstock.bahais@gmail.com ■ BLUE LOTUS TEMPLE & MEDITATION CENTER 221 Dean St. • 815-337-7378 Meditation: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Saturday; 7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday ■ CASA DE BENDICION 8015 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake (Crystal Lake Christian Church) Worship: 1 p.m. Sunday, 6:30 p.m. Wednesday ■ CHRIST LIFE 13614 W. Jackson St. • 815-338-4934 Worship: 10:30 a.m. Sunday ■ COVENANT REFORMED BAPTIST CHURCH 4609 Greenwood Road P.O. Box 463 • 815-575-9612 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ EDEN BAPTIST 1903 N. Seminary Ave. • 815-814-7847 Worship: 3 p.m. Sunday (Spanish) ■ FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST 111 W. South St. • 815-338-2731 Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday ■ FIRST PRESBYTERIAN 2018 N. Route 47 • 815-338-2627 Worship: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Facebook and YouTube ■ FIRST UNITED METHODIST 201 W. South St. • 815-338-3310 fumcwoodstock.org Worship: 9:30 a.m. Sunday Sunday school for children 9:45 a.m. ■ FREE METHODIST 934 N. Seminary Ave. • 815-338-3180 Worship: 10:30 a.m. ■ GOOD NEWS CHURCH Meeting at Dorr Township Community Room, 1039 Lake Ave. 815-575-9224 goodnewswoodstock.org Worship: 10:15 a.m. Sunday ■ GRACE FELLOWSHIP 200 Cairns Court • gfchurch.org Worship: 9 and 10:45 a.m. Sunday ■ GRACE LUTHERAN 1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road 815-338-0554 Worship: 5 p.m. Saturday (informal traditional); Sunday 8:30 a.m. (traditional), 10:45 a.m. (contemporary) ■ HOUSE OF BLESSING 2018 N. Route 47 (First Presbyterian Church building) cbhbfil413.com Worship: 1 p.m. Sunday

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June 17-23, 2020

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PUBLIC NOTICE

STATE OF WISCONSIN CIRCUIT COURT ADAMS COUNTY Heritage Bank of Schaumburg 1535 W. Schaumburg Road

Schaumburg, IL 60194 Plaintiff, v. Sylvia C. Gatza 3904 Wilson Road Woodstock, IL 60098 Defendant. Summons Case No. 2020CV000039 Judge Daniel G. Wood Foreclosure of Mortgage: 30404 THE STATE OF WISCONSIN, To each person named above as a defendant: You are hereby notified that the plaintiff named above has filed a lawsuit or other legal action against you. Within 40 days, after June 10, 2020, (which is the first day that this Summons was published) you must respond with a written demand for a copy of the Complaint. The demand must be sent or delivered to the Court, which address is: Adams County Courthouse 402 Main Street, Friendship, WI 53934-0220,

and to Codilis, Moody & Circelli, P.C., plaintiff’s attorneys, whose address is 15W030 North Frontage Road, Suite 200, Burr Ridge, IL 60527. You may have an attorney help or represent you. If you do not demand a copy of the complaint within 40 days, the Court may grant judgment against you for the award of money or other legal action requested in the Complaint, and you may lose your right to object to anything that is or may be incorrect in the Complaint. A judgment may be enforced as provided by law. A judgment awarding money may become a lien against any real estate you own now or in the future and may also be enforced by garnishment or seizure of property. Dated: June 4, 2020 Codilis, Moody & Circelli, P.C. Attorneys for Plaintiff Electronically signed by Shawn R. Hillmann WI State Bar No. 1037005 Emily Thoms WI State Bar No. 1075844

(Published in The Woodstock Independent June 10, 2020, June 17, 2020)L11038

PUBLIC NOTICE

ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on JUNE 5, 2020 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as: MIMI’S DESIGNS & CREATIONS located at 4914 W GLENBROOK TRL, MCHENRY IL 60050. Owner Name & Address: MARY SCHIRMBECK 4914 W GLENBROOK TRL, MCHENRY IL 60050. Dated: JUNE 5, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent June 17, 2020)L11039

June 17-23, 2020

PUBLIC NOTICE

NOTICE OF SELF-STORAGE SALE The Storage Space LLC, 945 Dieckman St., P O Box 1873, Woodstock, IL. 60098, must receive the delinquent amount of $470.00 for rental of unit #57 at 945 Dieckman St., Woodstock, IL. 60098, name Jennifer Moy. Or contents will be sold (no auction) of disposed of on 6/26/20 at 10:00 a.m. at 945 Dieckman St., Woodstock, IL. 60098. Contents: TV, Tupperware tubs, Laundry baskets, Wrapping paper, Small table, Clothes hangers, Backpacks, Sweaters, Kitchen ware, Photos, and Bags & boxes contents unknown and other general household. (Published in The Woodstock Independent June 10, 2020, June 17, 2020)L11036

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ASSUMED NAME Public Notice is hereby given that on MAY 18, 2020 An Assumed Name Business Certificate was filed in the Office of the County Clerk in McHenry County, IL under the following business name and address, and setting forth the names and addresses of all persons owning, conducting and transacting business known as: JIM McCONNELL HORTICULTURAL ENTERPRISES located at 2073 WILLOW BROOKE DRIVE APT 1-D WOODSTOCK IL 60098. Owner Name & Address: JIM McCONNELL 2073 WILLOW BROOKE DRIVE APT 1-D WOODSTOCK IL 60098. Dated: MAY 18, 2020 /s/ JOSEPH J. TIRIO (McHenry County Clerk) (Published in The Woodstock Independent June 10, 2020, June 17, 2020)L11035

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June 17-23, 2020

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Sports Does hay baling qualify as a sport?

I like a lot of summertime recreational sports, from biking and kayaking, to trail riding and swimming. I even favor occasional competitive equine events, but I haven’t had time for any of them this summer because I’ve been busy with another Sandy activity that I’d Kucharski like to think of as Speaking of a sport as well: Sports hay baling. See BALING, next page

NN SCOREBOARD NN IF YOU HAVE A RECREATIONAL SPORT OR SUMMER TEAM THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE LISTED IN THE INDEPENDENT, PLEASE SEND US CONTACT INFORMATION AND WE WILL FOLLOW THEM THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER IN THE SCOREBOARD

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INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Mitch Anderson digs the ball for his team during a sand volleyball league night June 12 at Kingston Lanes. The Friday night league is one of five weekly leagues hosted at Kingston’s large outdoor facility.

Kingston serves up summer’s first games

Volleyball a good match for social distancing rules By Sandy Kucharski

NEWS@THEWOODSTOCKINDEPENDENT.COM

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Bobbing balls and cheering fans were a welcome addition to nightlife in Woodstock last week as Kingston Lanes hosted its first volleyball league games of the season. Each year the bowling alley on Eastwood Drive hosts several volleyball and bags leagues, but with the pandemic, the fate of the 2020

season was up in the air. Kingston opened registration and filled teams in May in preparation for when it would be OK to conduct outdoor business. Once the announcement was made that the Northeast region was moving into Phase 3, management had about 10 days’ notice to pull everything together and resume business. “It’s safe,” said Jory Kingston, general manager and co-owner of Kingston Lanes. “We have taken a lot of precautions.” New protocols include outdoor seating with tables and chairs at least six feet apart, multiple handsanitizing stations, and a mask requirement for walking in and out

of the entrance and for using the restrooms. Instead of using the typical large group meeting, Kingston said, she met with captains from each league individually and explained the protocols, procedures, and expectations. One of the biggest changes was to reduce the size of each team – from six to five players – to comply with the guidelines that specify a maximum of 10 people involved in an activity. Players from the same team are spaced on the court on their own side, and they don’t come in contact with players from the other team on the opposite side of the net. Kingston said the teams have been

Continued on next page

BALING

Pulling and stacking hay bales on a rack behind the tractor and baler is a total body workout. You need the balance of a surfer to stand on a moving wagon, lean out over a baler chute, and wait for the 50-pound cube of forage to feed out. After you get a tentative grip, being careful not to pull the string off, you need to lift each bale from this leaning position and toss it about 10 feet to your stacking buddy. Easy enough until the stack gets tall and you need to boost that bale up over your head. So

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY SANDY KUCHARSKI

Family and friends partake in the summer sport of hay baling on Collins Road west of Woodstock. bending, stretching, and lifting are all components.

stand or just needs to be a little taller to reach the receiver on the tractor.

Endurance

Agility

The best weather for hay baling is hot and dry. The average wagon can hold about 120 bales, and the average field we run yields two to three wagons. On a good day we do two or three fields. The process is definitely a marathon, not a sprint, and you need to stay mentally sharp and physically strong to stay safe.

Weight training

The average weight of the bales varies from 40 to 60 pounds, and your muscles can get accustomed to the weight, but additional weight training is involved, such as dead-lifting an implement that fell off its jack

Try jumping off a moving hayrack to grab a stray bale before it gets caught under the wagon, throwing it aboard, and jumping back on before the tractor takes a corner. Or climb a stack that’s five bales high so you can add a sixth row, all while bouncing over a bumpy field.

Competition

The entire operation is always a race to beat the rain, beat the sunset, and beat the mosquitoes. When we’re done, we celebrate and bask in the victory of another successful outing. Sounds to me like it has all the

Continued from previous page

respecting the orders and following the protocol. “They are league players,” she said. “They understand [the importance of] rules.” She also stressed how seriously the staff was taking compliance in other aspects of the business. Limited bar seating is available in the outdoor space, and patrons are required to stay in a single file line when ordering at the bar. All servers wear masks, and single-use paper menus and individual condiments are provided. “We are fortunate to have a huge space,” Kingston said. “We could have 100 cars in the lot and everyone is still very spread out.” Kingston Lanes hosts volleyball leagues five night a week, Monday

INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Tyler Vidales sets the ball for his team, Just the Tip, during a match against Setting Ducks in league play at Kingston Lanes.

prerequisites to be called a sport. In fact, just last year my son and I both competed in the hay bale throwing contest at the McHenry County Fair, and each medaled in our respective age and gender divisions. More proof that it is a recognized activity if not a true sport. For the doubters, I suggest the best way to find out is try it for yourself. We’ve had many friends give it a shot at least once. Most go home itching and aching, and a few have come back for more. Granted, the “sport” of hay baling is not for everyone, but it can be a satisfying way to get some good, old-fashioned exercise while accomplishing a necessary task. Next up for consideration ... pushmowing and weed-whacking. through Friday. Bags leagues have also started up on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. “People are really excited to play,” Kingston said. Volleyball enthusiasts or not, she said, visitors enjoy the relaxed, backyard feel of the fire pit and lots of green grass. “[Patrons] can gather and feel safe outside.” She stressed that while Kingston is now open for business outdoors, the bowling lanes remain closed until this region has reached Phase 4, perhaps by the end of next week. “We’re prepping for June 26,” she said, when she hopes businesses such as theirs will be able open inside. She said a solid distancing plan is ready to be put in place for handling inside customers.

SPORTS

Exercise

June 17-23, 2020

My son does custom baling on small acreages west of Woodstock, and between our own fields and others he contracts with, we are working about 50 acres this summer. So far, since early June, we’ve baled, stacked, and hauled about 1,500 small rectangular bales. It’s a family affair, and we all pitch in to help bring in the harvest, which can come in as many as three or four times each summer. It’s extremely weather-dependent; when the hay is ready, you need to drop everything to get it done. A delay of one day – and sometimes one hour – can mean the difference between a profitable harvest or a total loss. While advances in equipment can make the job easier, we are pretty old school, forgoing the expensive equipment for familial labor. I hate to think that so many of these beautiful days of summer are going by without the opportunity to enjoy any sports, so I submit to you the following reasons that I think hay baling should be classified as a sport.

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Continued from previous page

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