The Woodstock Independent November 6th, 2013

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Nov. 6-12, 2013 Nov. 6-12, 20131

Woodstock

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

I NDEPENDENT The

Published every Wednesday

Est. 1987

Serving Woodstock, Wonder Lake and Bull Valley, Ill.

www.thewoodstockindependent.com

NEWS

EDUCATION

ENTERTAINMENT

NMS invites public to veterans assembly Nov. 7 PAGE 2

WHS soph: LULAC national youth president

‘The Nerd’ to open Nov. 8 at Opera House

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A SOLDIER’S STORY RETOLD A Woodstock WWII veteran on reenactors portraying his own division

$1.00

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City hires new finance director Christensen was finance director in Schiller Park By LISA KUCHARSKI The Independent

Bill Lyford, Woodstock, holds his dog tags. Lyford is a World War II veteran. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

For Lyford, history is truly personal at World War II event By JAN DOVIDIO e Independent Seventy years after serving in World War II, Woodstock’s Bill Lyford saw his own history come alive again. Touring World War II Days at Rockford’s Midway Village in September with his wife, Eileen, Lyford came upon reenactors portraying the men from his own 45th Infantry Division. “Most of what they did was just about right,” Lyford said of the reenactors, part of a group of 1,200 performers who portray World

War II battles complete with tanks, artillery, armored vehicles and pyrotechnic displays. “I was impressed with the way they were set up in the woods; it was very real. ere were a few things I corrected, though.” e veteran said he told the reenactors — some of whom wore the uniforms of actual World War II soldiers and even learned the men’s personal histories — that their uniforms, for instance, weren’t quite up to snuff. “ eir legs were in leggings tucked down tight into their combat boots,” Lyford said. “I told them that back when we were in the war, we’d call you a rabbit hunter because you weren’t blousing your pants over the top of the boots. Everyone bloused Please see Veteran, Page 2

Bill Lyford witnessed reenactors portraying his own division at Rockford’s World War II Days. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

After a second search, the city of Woodstock has named Paul Christensen finance director. Christensen served as finance director for the village of Fox Lake for 12 years and Schiller Park for the past five years. “It’s an exciting opportunity,” Christensen said. “I believe I’m going to be able to take the talents that I have gained through working at the village of Fox Lake, and then my current position here at Schiller Park, and use it at Woodstock.” Christensen’s hiring came after an initial unsuccessful search was conducted by the city in April. Beginning in mid-November, Christensen will become Woodstock’s chief financial officer, in charge of the city’s finances and helping manage labor negotiations with the city’s unions. Christensen said while each municipality is different, he believes his previous experiences as a finance director will allow him to apply his knowledge to the tasks at hand in Woodstock. “Paul just demonstrated a tremendous amount of experience and knowledge in regards to municipal finance,” said City Manager Roscoe Stelford. “We felt he’d be a good fit with the organization. He has demonstrated a conservative financial approach. e City Council has been pretty conservative over the years with how they handle the residents’ taxpayer money. I feel Please see Finance director, Page 4

Bull Valley dog park to open this month By LISA KUCHARSKI The Independent

INDEX

A 7-acre dog park at the

OBITUARIES OPINION EDUCATION A&E MARKETPLACE

5 6 8 10 12

COMMUNITY CALENDAR CLASSIFIEDS PUBLIC NOTICES SPORTS

northwest corner of Bull Valley and Country Club roads will open its gates this month for a trial period.

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Until March 1, 2014, annual memberships and 50 charter memberships will be available for purchase by Woodstock

and Bull Valley residents. e charter memberships are $500 and are valid for 10 years. Annual memberships are $60 on a firstcome-first-served basis. Annual permit holders will have access to the park in January 2014. Bull Valley Village Trustee

OBITUARIES

END QUOTE

Gloria Hope Scholz, McHenry Dean A Hansen, Woodstock Joan M. Price, Woodstock Bruce R. Shisler, Woodstock Gladys R. Liedberg, Woodstock

“I had no idea how much I was going to enjoy being on the Square.” Kim Keefe, Page 12

Emily Berendt said the purpose of the trial run is to identify problems with the site or its regulations before the grand opening in spring 2014. She said charter memberships will help Please see Dog park, Page 4

The Woodstock Independent 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098 Phone: 815-338-8040 Fax: 815-338-8177 www.thewoodstockindependent.com


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