Woodstockindependent 3 11 15

1March 11-17, 2015THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

By STEPHANIE PRICE and KATELYN STANEK

The Independent

Leaders from Woodstock and

the surrounding area are tak-

ing a stand against Gov. Bruce

Rauner’s proposal to slash the

municipal share of state income

tax revenues by 50 percent.

Rauner recently pitched the

idea of reducing each munici-

pality’s share of state income

tax from 8 percent to 4 percent

as part of an effort to reduce the

state’s financial crisis. �e mea-

sure would result in a consid-

erable loss in revenue for local

governments.

�e city of Woodstock, which

recently issued a resolution con-

demning the governor’s plan,

stands to lose about $1.2 mil-

lion if those revenues from the

state are reduced. �at amount

is approximately equivalent to

the city’s yearly expenditures

on streets.

“It is exasperating,” City

Councilwoman Maureen Lar-

son said during the council’s

March 3 meeting, when the res-

olution was passed. “…Munici-

pal dollars are the most efficient

dollars being spent by the state.”

City Manager Roscoe Stelford

said the cuts could have huge

ramifications for the city.

“Now that the state has fall-

en on hard times, they want to

renegotiate the deal,” Stelford

INDEPENDENTTheWoodstock March 11-17, 2015

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

NEWS

PAGE 3

A Greenwood infant is killed in

an accident in San Diego

SPORTS

Larry Dale Field could sport

synthetic turf this fallPAGE 24

ENTERTAINMENT

Green beer, bands and food

combine for a St. Pat’s festivalPAGE 9

OBITUARIES 5

OPINION 6

EDUCATION 8

A & E 9

MARKETPLACE 11IND

EX

The Woodstock Independent671 E. Calhoun St.,

Woodstock, IL 60098Phone: 815-338-8040Fax: 815-338-8177

www.thewoodstockindependent.com

O B I T U A R I E S E N D Q U O T ECOMMUNITY 12

CALENDAR 18

CLASSIFIEDS 19

PUBLIC NOTICES 21

SPORTS 24

Christine A. Perkins, WoodstockGuadalupe Velasquez, WoodstockEleanor Lillian Mungle, Woodstock

“No one asks why you need a wheelchair, but they still question service dogs.”

— Lon Hodge, page 12

TEMPLE SEEKS TO SAVE WINDOWSA local Buddhist temple wants to preserve the Christian imagery in its building

Bhante Sujatha stands in front of a stained-glass window at the Blue Lotus Temple. The temple is raising money to restore the windows, which are 109 years old and date back to when the building housed a Congregational church. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

By STEPHANIE PRICEThe Independent

�e stained-glass windows at the Blue

Lotus Temple are 109 years old.

One window has the image of Jesus

walking among sheep. At the bottom of

the window, the glass is cracked where

the original donors’ names are listed.

Another pane has caved in slightly. �e

arched window trim is aged and shows

signs of water leakage, and the decora-

tive windows need storm windows add-

ed for protection.

�e Blue Lotus monks, who bought

the former Unitarian church building at

221 Dean St. about four years ago, turn-

ing it into a Buddhist temple, are seek-

ing to restore the four main stained-

glass windows. �e colorful glasswork

rises more than 10 feet high in the tem-

ple. �e windows allow colorful rays of

sunlight into the temple, where a large

Blue Lotus establishes a fund to

pay for stained-glass repairs

Please see Glass, Page 4

Local leaders speak out against Rauner’s proposed budget cuts

Please see Budget, Page 3

Woodstock’s population was 230 short of automatic home rule at last count

By KATELYN STANEKThe Independent

Officials from the city of Wood-

stock are considering holding a

special census in an effort to gain

home-rule status.

�e census, money for which

is included in the proposed bud-

get for the upcoming fiscal year,

would be used to determine if

the city’s population has risen to

25,000, the minimum necessary to

automatically secure home rule.

In 2010, the last time a regular

census was conducted, Wood-

stock’s population count was

24,770.

Home-rule status would give the

city far greater power than it has

today, freeing it from many of the

restrictions placed on it by Illinois

law. Home-rule municipalities can

impose higher taxes — the state’s

property tax cap laws exempt such

towns — as well as enact stricter

code enforcement measures, in-

cur more debt, implement their

own standards for the discipline

and discharge of public employees,

Special census for home rule could be on the horizon

Please see Home rule, Page 3

» CITY OF WOODSTOCK

Governor wants to reduce municipalities’ share of state income taxes by 50 percent

2 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTMarch 11-17, 2015 NEWS

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said. “… It’s not possible to absorb it

without making changes to our ser-

vices.”

Bull Valley would lose about $53,000,

which represents half the amount vot-

ers recently approved in a referendum

for its road resurfacing project. �e ru-

ral village, with sparsely any business

development, plans to consider adopt-

ing its own resolution opposing Raun-

er’s proposed cut at its March 23 board

meeting.

“�e proposed cut in LGD (Local

Government Distributive) funds will be

particularly difficult for us because we

have only turned the corner on certain

fiscal challenges,” said Bull Valley Vil-

lage President Ron Parrish. “… For a

small village, it will have great impact ...

We will have to

make deep cuts

elsewhere to

make that match

or delay one of

the two projects

which are des-

perately need-

ed.”

In tiny Green-

wood, home to

only 255 residents, the village stands

to lose half of its $24,000 share of state

income tax. �e proposed cut would be

considerable for the village, which only

receives revenues from the state’s motor

fuel tax and road and bridge funds. �e

village’s annual budget is only $50,000,

said Village President John Ferris.

“�at’s devastating to us,” said Ferris.

Lakewood would lose about $190,000,

said Village Administrator Catherine

Peterson. Village leaders planned to

adopt a resolution opposing Rauner’s

proposed cuts at their March 10 board

meeting.

A group of representatives from the

McHenry County Council of Govern-

ments, including Woodstock’s Stelford

and City Councilman Joe Starzynski,

as well as Lakewood’s Peterson, trav-

eled to Springfield March 4. Origi-

nally planned as a way to lobby for

transportation in the county, the trip

instead focused primarily on asking

legislators to oppose big cuts to Local

Government Distributive funds, Stel-

ford said.

NEWS

and generally operate with increased

authority to exercise powers that aren’t

specifically prohibited by the General

Assembly or the state constitution.

“[Home rule] opens up a tremendous

number of issues,” City Manager Ros-

coe Stelford said. “We could go through

the entire city code and ask, is this

the best way to do this now that we’re

home rule?”

�e City Council occasionally has

cited Woodstock’s lack of home-rule

powers as the reason it is unable to ad-

dress some complaints from residents,

including concerns over the discipline

of police officers and the enforcement

of more stringent sanitary and safety

regulations in rental properties.

But Illinois’ system of home rule also

faces strident opposition from some

taxpayer and business organizations,

including the Illinois Association of Re-

altors, which has launched campaigns

against home rule in some towns seek-

ing those powers.

“Going to home rule means that some

of the ability to have a say on how much

in the way of taxes you’re going to pay

is taken away,” said Jon Broadbooks,

spokesman for the realtors association.

Stelford said those concerns are un-

founded.

“It’s still a representative govern-

ment,” Stelford said. “�ey still have

council members that they can express

their concerns to.”

In Illinois, municipalities gain home-

rule status once they have at least

25,000 residents, although smaller mu-

nicipalities can implement it by passing

a referendum on the issue. Residents

can repeal a town’s home-rule powers

by referendum, too.

Stelford said the city hasn’t formally

discussed bringing the home-rule is-

sue to voters in recent years. He said

Woodstock’s last special census, con-

ducted in 2008, was primarily an at-

tempt to gain more funding from the

state. Illinois distributes income taxes,

motor fuel taxes and many other rev-

enues on a per capita basis.

�e United States Census Bureau

charges municipalities for special cen-

suses, which typically only canvass ar-

eas thought to have experienced resi-

dential growth. Costs vary, but in 2008,

Woodstock spent about $90,000 on

the special census. �e city is planning

to allocate $120,000 for the next spe-

cial census if it receives approval from

the council, according to Stelford.

�e proposed census would take

place in 2016 but would be spread over

two fiscal years in order to split the ex-

pense between budgets, Stelford said.

�e 2015-16 budget, which is slated to

include $60,000 in funding for the first

half of the census, currently is being

compiled for consideration by the City

Council. �e council will deliberate and

vote on the budget in April.

Home ruleContinued from Page 1

The Illinois constitution allows home-rule units the right to exercise powers not specifically granted to them as long as they aren’t explicitly prohib-ited by the constitution or the General Assembly. Municipalities with at least 25,000 residents are automatically granted home-rule status, but residents also can grant or rescind these powers by referendum.

Constitution of the State of Illinois

Article VII, Section 6“… A home-rule unit may exercise any power and perform any function per-taining to its government and affairs in-cluding, but not limited to, the power to regulate for the protection of the public health, safety, morals and welfare; to license; to tax; and to incur debt.”

HOME RULE IN ILLINOIS

Greenwood baby killed in accident in Calif.By STEPHANIE PRICE

The Independent

Tragedy struck a Greenwood family

vacationing in San Diego last week.

John Aavang, 56, was pushing his

seven-month-old daughter, Juniper, in

a stroller at about 6:30 a.m. Monday,

March 2, when they both were struck

by an SUV while walking through a

crosswalk in Point Loma, a seaside

community located within the city of

San Diego.

Juniper Aavang died at Rady Chil-

dren’s Hospital in San Diego late Tues-

day night as a result of her injuries.

John Aavang was taken to Sharp Me-

morial Hospital, also in San Diego, for

treatment, according to several news

reports and an Aavang family member.

His current medical status has not been

released per request of the family.

John Aavang’s wife, Ginevra, was

walking in front of the stroller at the

time of the accident and was uninjured.

�e Greenwood family was in Point

Loma visiting Ginevra’s mother.

�e driver of the SUV, a 47-year-old

man, told police his view of the inter-

section was blocked by a roadside ob-

struction. CBS-8 News station in San

Diego reported several tree branches

blocking a warning sign posted 15 yards

ahead of the crosswalk were cut down

after the accident. Point Loma residents

said they have been concerned about

the safety of the intersection for some

time, according to the news report.

John Aavang is a restoration ecolo-

gist for McHenry County Conservation

District, a family member said.

Budget Continued from Page 1


Participants in the Woodstock High

School Community St. Baldrick’s fund-

raising shave raised $11,918 for chil-

dren’s cancer research.

About 39 people and three teams

“braved the shave” March 6, agreeing

to have their heads sheared to raise

money for children’s cancer research.

Some participants were shaved during

a student-only event held at Wood-

stock High School.

Another group participated in the

evening shaving at Kingston Lanes

bowling alley, 1330 S. Eastwood Drive,

on the same day.

�e “shavees,” as they are called,

seek pledge donations from family and

friends to raise money for the St. Bal-

drick’s Foundation, which forwards all

proceeds to children’s cancer research.

Andrea DeSerto raised the most

pledges, acquiring $2,045 in dona-

tions, according to the WHS Commu-

nity St. Baldrick’s fundraising page.

�e top team, Woodstock High School,

earned $4,335, according to the page.

Organizers established a $20,000

goal for this year’s shave. So far, dona-

tions have reached 59.6 percent of that

goal. Anyone wanting to donate to the

cause should visit www.stbaldricks.org.

�e St. Baldrick’s shavings were

started in 2000 by two successful New

York businessmen searching for a way

to give back to the community. �e “go

bald” fundraisers quickly took off, and

St. Baldrick’s Foundation hit the $100

million mark for research grant fund-

ing in 2012, the website states.

Shaving fundraiser collects nearly $12K for cancer research

“That’s devastating to us.”

— John Ferris,Greenwood

president

Jenna Cas-tillo, 17, has her head shaved for childhood cancer re-search at a St. Baldrick’s fundraiser March 6. The event raised a total of $11,918.INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY MICHELLE KRENGER

4 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTMarch 11-17, 2015 NEWS

The Woodstock Independent (USPS #001287) is published weekly at 671 E. Calhoun St., Wood-stock, IL 60098-3213. Periodicals postage paid at Woodstock, Illinois.POSTMASTERS: Forward address changes to The Woodstock Independent, 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098-3213.

The Woodstock Independent

Phone: 815-338-8040

Woodstock woman faces prostitution, endangerment charges


A Woodstock woman was arrested

for prostitution and endangering the

lives of her children following a po-

lice investigation near a Sheila Street

apartment building.

Sheila E. Johnston, 29, of the 1900

block of Sheila Street, was arrested

March 5 and charged with multiple

offenses including one count pros-

titution, two counts endangering the

life and health of a child, posses-

sion of drug paraphernalia and pos-

session of marijuana, according to

Woodstock Police.

In October 2014, the police de-

partment’s investigations division

received several anonymous com-

plaints of suspicious activity at the

apartment where Johnston lived.

Police initiated an investigation that

lasted several months.

On �ursday morning, Woodstock

Police Department and the McHenry

County Sheriff’s Narcotics Task Force

conducted an undercover operation

during which an officer posed as a

client and made contact with John-

ston. Johnston agreed to perform

sexual acts in exchange for money,

according to Woodstock Police.

Johnston’s two children were home

at the time of the undercover opera-

tion, police said. �e children were

taken into protective custody and

turned over to the Illinois Depart-

ment of Children and Family Ser-

vices.

Johnston posted $150 bond and

was released from custody. She is

scheduled to appear in court at 8:30

a.m. April 26.

No one else was charged in con-

nection with the sting.

statue of Buddha sits.

To preserve the beauty of the win-

dows, and the church’s architectur-

al history, the monks established a

GoFundMe page entitled “Save the

Stained Glass at the Blue Lotus” and

are seeking $25,000 in donations to

pay for the repairs.

Some people have questioned why

those of Buddhist faith would be con-

cerned about saving windows depict-

ing Jesus, an angel and the Virgin Mary.

Bhante Sumana (Bhante means vener-

able sir and is the title used to refer to

a Buddhist monk) said the temple, the

only one of its kind outside of Chicago,

serves upward of 400 members. �e

temple’s mailing list has more than

1,700 people, many of whom choose to

visit the temple to meditate, not neces-

sarily to convert to Buddhism.

“�ese windows are a special part

of this building,” said Sumana, one of

four monks and one nun at the temple.

“In the Buddhist teachings, we respect

all religions. Plus, the people who visit

this place have many religious back-

grounds, and they like the windows. ”

So far, Blue Lotus has received $3,835

in donations on the GoFundMe page

created by Bhanta Sujatha.

Bhante Sujatha said the colorful

windows, installed when the Christian

church was built in 1906, represent the

founders’ break with strict, Puritanical

former ways when only plain chapels

and churches were built. Calling the

windows, “one of his favorite parts of

the Blue Lotus Temple,” Sujatha said

he was happy to inherit the windows

showing Jesus and his good works.

“I like to remember this,” Sujatha

said on the GoFundMe page. “�ese

windows mean freedom of expression

to me, and so much more. My mission

is to teach Americans about the ben-

efits of meditation and loving kindness.

I want people to know they can come

into the temple and practice medita-

tion; they don’t need to be a Buddhist,

or even want to be a Buddhist.”

�e temple’s brick building was

once home to the First Congregational

Church. An old photograph of the small

church, situated at the corner of Dean

and South streets, hangs on the wall by

the temple’s entrance and is dated 1952.

Many years ago, Sujatha was search-

ing for a home for the Blue Lotus Tem-

ple. He reached out to many churches in the Chicago area, and Unitarian

Church leaders responded. He began

renting the basement for meditation

sessions about 13 years ago and pur-

chased the church building when the

Unitarian congregation moved to

McHenry.

Sujatha said he believes Jesus and

the Buddha would have been good

friends.

“Both of them taught that there is

a way out of suffering,” Sujatha said.

“Both of them believed that while pain

might not be optional, suffering is al-

ways a choice.”

Sujatha said when Christians visit the

temple, they sometimes are uncom-

fortable meditating in front of the tall

Buddha statue. �e monks tell them to

turn and face Jesus in the windows.

“�is comforts many people who

might not have learned about the ben-

efits of meditation any other way,” Su-

jatha said.

GoFundMe.com/savetheglass

HOW TO DONATE

Blue Lotus Temple has started a web campaign to collect money for the resto-ration of the stained glass that adorns its building. To donate, visit:

Glass Continued from Page 1

IN BRIEF

Lions Club offers scholarshipThe Woodstock Lions Club is giving a

$1,000 scholarship to a high school gradu-ate who lives in Woodstock School District 200 and will be graduating this year or has

previously graduated from high school. The scholarship can be applied to a college or technical school of the recipient’s choice.

Applications are available at McHenry County College, 8900 Highway 14, Crystal Lake.

MCCD to offer prescribed fire training

The McHenry County Conservation District will discuss the benefits of fire to natural eco-systems, the correct time to burn and what it takes to plan and implement a prescribed burn at the Prescribed Fire in Ecological Res-toration seminar, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Satur-day, March 21, at Lost Valley Visitor Center, Glacial Park, Route 31 and Harts Road, Ring-wood.

The workshop, run by MCCD restoration ecologist Jeff Murray and MCCD restoration technician Adam Rex, will provide Chicago Wilderness Crew Member Burn Training cer-tification.

Part of the class will be outdoors, and par-ticipants should bring a lunch.

The training is open to people 14 years and older. Registration fee is $40 county resi-dent/ $45 nonresident. Registration is avail-able online at MCCDistrict.org. Registration and fee deadline is March 17.


One person with serious inju-

ries was transported by Flight for

Life helicopter to Advocate Con-

dell Hospital in Libertyville at

about 10:30 p.m. �ursday, March

5, after a pickup truck carrying

six people struck a utility pole in

the 14000 block of Perkins Road

in rural Woodstock.

Two people were taken to Cen-

tegra Hospital-Woodstock for

treatment of non-life-threatening

injuries, and three passengers re-

fused treatment, said Woodstock

Fire/ Rescue Capt. Brendan Parker.

�e McHenry County Sheriff’s

Office responded to the accident.

An accident report had not yet

been released by the sheriff’s of-

fice at press time March 9.

Flight for Life called to accident site on Perkins Road

Rescue workers respond to an accident March 5 on Perkins Road that sent one person to the hospital by helicoptor. PHOTO: ALEX VUCHA

5March 11-17, 2015THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTNEWS

OBITUARIES

Christine A. PerkinsChristine A. Perkins, 53, Woodstock,

died Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015, at Sherman Hospital, Elgin.

She was born March 30, 1961, to Albert and Theresa (Owczarz) Reed in Chicago.

She was a loving and prideful mom who was deeply devoted to her children. Her home was often the second home to many of her children’s friends. She worked at PCCR as an IT systems administrator. She was well-versed in a little of everything. She stayed current with the new developments in her field and in 2012 received an as-sociate’s degree. She was a member of the Women of the Moose in Woodstock. She enjoyed completing many projects around the house and also loved giving homemade gifts. Enjoying and spoiling her grandson was her most recent favorite way to spend time.

She was a fun, loving and compassion-ate person that positively impacted the lives around her.

Survivors included two children, Holly Perkins (Phillip Boggs) and Kevin Perkins; a grandson, Sebastian Boggs; three siblings, Karen (Doug) Coon, John Reed and Bette (Greg) Platta; four nephews; and a niece.

She was preceded in death by her par-ents.

A celebration of her life was held March

4 at Park Place, Crystal Lake. Memorial donations may be made to the

family. Arrangements were made by Querham-

mer & Flagg Funeral Home, Crystal Lake.

Guadalupe VelasquezGuadalupe Velasquez Sr., 72, Wood-

stock, died Wednesday, March 4, 2015, at Crossroads Care Center, Woodstock, sur-rounded by his loving family.

He was born Dec. 12, 1942, to Ernesto and Maria Velasquez in Cotulla, Texas.

He was a huge Elvis fan. He was a kind-hearted person who worked hard and loved his family. He will be missed by all who knew him.

Survivors include his mother; three chil-dren, Guadalupe Velasquez Jr., Christella Velasquez and Rachel Velasquez Romo; five grandchildren, Eric Ratliff, Raquel Ma-rie Coleman, Jordin Romo, Cassandra So-phia Velasquez and Juan Diego Romo; two great-grandchildren, Ayden Jacob Coleman and Ava Marie Coleman; 10 siblings, Min-ni Guerrero, Elsie Soto, Miluy Perz, George Velasquez, Irene Holinka, Yolanda Rios, Lucinda Velasquez, Estella Skytte, Ernesto Velasquez and Jesus Velasquez; and numer-ous nieces and nephews including, David

Guerrero, Michelle Soto, Heidi Holinka, Vicki Hernandez and Missy Hernandez.

He was preceded in death by his father.Visitation and funeral were held March 8

at the Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock. All other ser-vices will be private.

Eleanor Lillian MungleEleanor Lillian Mungle, 90, Woodstock,

died Saturday, March 7, 2015, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born Aug. 15, 1924, to Mat-thew A. and Elsie H. (Siebel) Schmarje.

On July 22, 1944, she married Gerald N. Mungle in Woodstock.

She was a lifelong member of St. John’s Lu-theran Church, Wood-stock. She also was a member of the Wood-stock VFW Ladies Aux-iliary. She loved the annual Memorial Day Parade. She enjoyed the pleasures of raising her family on the farm. Her family was always most impor-tant to her, especially when it came to her

grandchildren and great-grandchildren.Survivors include three sons, Edward

Mungle, William Mungle and Gary (Jill) Mungle; three daughters, Ruth Ann (Ken) Brodeski, Virginia (Frank Piska) Radloff, and Mary (Paul) Kleven; 11 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild; a sister, Pauline Young; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her par-ents; her husband on Jan. 30, 1996; a son, Gerald Mungle; a great-granddaughter, Meghan; five brothers, Ed Schmarje, Don Schmarje, Ralph Schmarje, Les Schmarje, and Fred Schmarje; and a sister, Helen Co-rey.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tues-day, March 10, at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 N. Semi-nary Ave., Woodstock. The visitation will continue at 10 a.m. until the funeral at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 11, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, 401 St. John’s Road, Woodstock. Burial will be at McHenry County Memorial Park Cemetery, Wood-stock.

In appreciation for the five Wonder Lake Rescue Squad members who offered her care in her last few days, the family asks that memorials be made to the rescue squad district of the donors’ choice or to St. John’s Lutheran Church, Woodstock.

POLICE BLOTTER

Felipe Gonzalez-Jarquin, 1618 Marl-boro Circle, Carpentersville, was charged Feb. 6 with no valid driver’s license and speeding at McConnell and Heron roads. Gonzalez-Jarquin posted $150 bond. Court date was set for Mar. 26.

Virginia Marie Unglaub, 48, 2400 Vivaldi St., Woodstock, was charged Feb. 6 with four counts of domestic battery at her home. Unglaub was turned over to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. Bond and court date are to be set.

Norma Amaya, 45, 903 W. Roos-evelt, Harvard, was charged Feb. 7 with driving while license suspended and dis-obeying a traffic control device at Bloom-field Drive and Dean Street. Amaya posted $150 bond. Court date was set for Feb. 26.

Timothy Frank Arrigo, 24, 17 Hilly Lane, Lake in the Hills, was charged Feb. 7 with driving under the influence, driving under the influence over and leaving the scene of an accident at Ridgewood Drive and Liberty Lane. Arrigo was turned over to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $3,000. Court date was set for March 26.

James Alexander Haverty, 22, 721 Elm Lane, Woodstock, was charged Feb. 7 with driving under the influence, driving under the influence over, improper lane us-age and no proof of insurance at 250 N. Throop St. Haverty posted $100 and his driver’s license as bond. Court date was set for March 5.

Nicholas M. Caradonna, 77, 1814 Fairhaven Lane, Schaumburg, was charged Feb. 7 with driving under the influ-

ence, improper lane usage and uninsured motor vehicle at Route 47 and St. John’s Road. Caradonna was turned over to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $3,000. Court date was set for March 26.

Matthew Edward Steponik, 41, 902 Irving Ave., Woodstock, was charged Feb. 8 with driving under the influence, driving under the influence over and speeding at Route 47 and Highway 14. Steponik posted $100 and his driver’s license. Court date was set for March 26.

Reed Arlo Shunick, 37, 14411 Kish-waukee Valley Road, Woodstock, was charged Feb. 8 with unlawful possession of cannabis and battery at 3701 Doty Road. Shunick was turned over to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $1,500. Court date is to be set.

Rene Carbajal, 44, 2011 South Ad-ams, Marion, Ind., was charged Feb. 12 with driving under the influence, driving under the influence over, no driver’s valid license and improper lane usage at Mc-Connell and Zimmerman roads. Carbajal posted $300 bond. Court date was set for March 26.

Scott Walter Robinson, 23, 703 W. Metzen Ave., Woodstock, was charged Feb. 13 with driving while license suspend-ed, uninsured motor vehicle and obstructed front windshield on Washington Street at Cairns Court. Robinson posted $150 bond. Court date was set for March 12.

STREET SMARTS

Average gas price

$2.41 /GAL.

Reflects average price of regular unleaded gasoline at Woodstock gas stations the morning of March 9.

.01

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting special patrols Tuesday, March 17, St. Patrick’s Day, targeting drunk drivers and seat belt enforcement.

The Sheriff’s Office reminds anyone hosting a party that they can be held liable and pros-ecuted if someone they serve is involved in a drunk-driving crash. They also suggest the host serve lots of food and nonalcoholic bev-erages, keep the phone numbers for local cab companies handy, take keys away from any-one who is thinking about driving drunk and be sure all guests designate a sober driver.

Any charges are merely accusations, and defendants or suspects are presumed inno-cent unless proven guilty.

Partygoers also have the responsibility to get home safely by using a designated driver, calling a cab or sleeping it off. When they do get in a car, they are re-minded to buckle up.

Eleanor Lillian Mungle

6 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTMarch 11-17, 2015

CHERYL WORMLEYPublisher, Co-OwnerPAUL WORMLEY

Co-OwnerKATELYN STANEKManaging Editor

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Woodstock, IL 1987

THE EDITORIAL BOARDCheryl Wormley Katelyn Stanek Jay SchulzSandy KucharskiStephanie Price

Where the sidewalk endsIt’s not always easy to find a consen-

sus among the residents of Woodstock, but ask them about the ease of getting around on foot or bicycle, and there’s a 70 percent chance they will tell you Woodstock’s no good for pedestrians.

�at’s according to a transportation study conducted last year, when seven out of 10 respondents said Woodstock’s sidewalk system didn’t meet their needs. Among the top requirements, according to residents, was constructing new side-walks where none existed.

We’ve all encountered those surprising, almost nonsensical endings to perfectly good sidewalks that send pedestrians into the streets and onto people’s yards and easements. �at’s why we were pleased to see the city of Woodstock, with the help of McHenry County and the McHenry County Conservation District, approve an agreement to install a 1,400-foot walk-ing and cycling path that will prevent yet another road to nowhere for cyclists and walkers.

�e new multi-use path will link an existing pathway along Lake Avenue to a new trail that will run alongside Highway 14 once construction on that roadway is completed. �e price tag for the city of Woodstock will run about $25,000 while the county will pay $50,000. �e Illinois Department of Transportation will fund another 80 percent of the cost, and the conservation district will maintain and repair the path.

Without this connecting path, which was not originally planned as part of the Highway 14 project, both trails would end abruptly and require cyclists and walkers to take a walk or ride along Highway 14 to get from one end to another. �at’s a dan-gerous proposition that could put pedes-trians in peril, impede traffic and greatly reduce the usefulness of either path.

But with this agreement, Woodstock residents will have an easy way to access the four-mile stretch of trail that follows Highway 14 to Lucas Road and eventu-ally connects with the MCCD’s Ridgefield Trace path, bringing cyclists and walkers all the way to Crystal Lake.

Woodstock is finally gaining an op-portunity to be better connected to the county’s extensive network of walking and riding trails. �at’s a good step to-ward fixing a pedestrian system that most residents say doesn’t meet their needs.

weigh inEmail letters to the editor to [email protected] or mail them to 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098.

Opinion

» OUR VIEW

» YOUR VIEW

Saladin is the right choice for City Council

Mark Saladin has spent the last four years voting on items for the good of Woodstock. His expertise in tax law has been and will con-tinue to benefit our city.

He was born and raised in Woodstock. And after getting his degree, Mark moved back to raise his two children while volunteer-ing his time and energy to our public and private school sys-tems.

Mark knows what is right for Woodstock and its continued growth downtown, industrial and Routes 14 and 47 corridors. He’s not running for any personal agenda or business, but what’s best for our beautiful city.

He has recently undertaken the position of chairman of McHenry County Economic Development

Corporation, a position that will also aid in the development of availability of new potential com-merce to the city of Woodstock.

A “mark” for Mark April 7 is good for Woodstock.

He’s got our votes of confi-dence!

Greg and Nancy Walkington, Woodstock

Gov. deserves credit for work across the aisle

�e change in tone in Illinois’ government during the last month has been remarkable. While I generally vote Democrat and strongly disagree with his attack on the collective bargaining rights of working people, Gov. Rauner’s efforts to work with lawmakers on both sides of the aisle and take

on tough issues is a refreshing departure from the doldrums that has set in by the end of the Quinn administration.

His work with Rep. Jack Franks to consolidate local governments and Sen. Kwame Raouk to reform Illinois’ criminal justice system are both long overdue and would never have taken place under our previous governor. Since consoli-dation is an issue that has been historically blocked by downstate Republicans, a constituency that a politician in Rauner’s position would be smart to please, his fighting for what is right, rather than expedient, is especially im-pressive.

I hope the governor’s collabora-tive instincts continue. Illinois desperately needs leadership, not more politicians using the word while they do nothing to change our broken government.

Dorene Job,Woodstock

Electronics recycling option

City of Woodstock residents now have access to elec-tronics recycling in the Village of Lakewood. Items can be dropped off from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday behind Lakewood’s Public Works garage at 6570 Haligus Road. A large sign above the bin reads “Electron-

ics Recycling,” and acceptable items include: televisions, computers, laptops, monitors, printers, scanners, fax machines, calculators, cell phones, keyboards and mice, radios and stereos, telephones, cables, power-supply wires, DVDs, VCRs, CD players and microwaves. Univer-sal Recycling will processes all materials. For information, visit village.lakewood.il.us.

FYI

QUOTABLE

“It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.”— Henry David Thoreau

7March 11-17, 2015THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTOPINION

» COLUMN

Subscription rates/year: $35 in Woodstock and Wonder Lake, $37 in McHenry County, $42 for snowbirds and $50 outside McHenry County.

Letters to the editor: We welcome letters of general interest to the community and reserve the right to edit for clarity or length. Letters should be fewer than 400 words, and writers are limited to one letter per month. Letters are due at noon Wednesday and must be signed and include the writer’s address and a telephone number for verifica-tion purposes only.

Corrections: The Woodstock Independent strives for accuracy. To suggest corrections or clarifications, email [email protected].

INDEPENDENTTheWoodstock

Noon WednesdayPRESS RELEASES AND [email protected]

LETTERS TO THE [email protected]

Noon ThursdayDISPLAY ADVERTISING [email protected]

Noon Friday LEGAL [email protected]

CLASSIFIED [email protected]

Cheryl Wormley [email protected]

Katelyn Stanek MANAGING [email protected]

Jay Schulz SPORTS [email protected]

Stephanie Price ASSOCIATE [email protected]

Sandy Kucharski ASSOCIATE [email protected]

Jason Reinhardt GRAPHIC [email protected]

Advertising Melissa Knight, [email protected]; Jen Wilson,

[email protected]; Barb Gessert, [email protected]

Columnists John Daab, Lisa Haderlein, Dan Chamness, Debbie Skozek, Tony Casalino

Editorial Cartoonist Jim Pearson

Photographers Michelle Krenger, Ken Farver, Alisa Ellegood

Proofreaders Tricia Carzoli, Don Humbertson

Reporters Tricia Carzoli, Elizabeth Harmon, Megan Ivers

Administration Rebecca McDaniel

s ta f f dead l ines

contact

�e Independent staff and I have responded to our own editorials and are sponsoring a candidate forum. All eight of the candidates vying for three seats on the Woodstock City Council have responded to our invitation and are planning to attend. �e forum will provide an opportunity for voters to hear the candidates’ reasons for wanting to serve and to hear their responses to questions. It will be from 7 to 8:30 p.m. �ursday, March 19, on the second floor of the Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd St.

�e candidates will be there. Will you? What question would you like answered by each candidate?

We are collecting questions. Email them to me at [email protected] or mail them to me at 671 E. Calhoun St. Questions also can be submitted the night of the forum.

�e winning candidates will serve for four years, so informed voting, as always, is so important.

Nominate a Woman of the Year

Woodstock’s 2015 Woman of the Year could be your friend, co-worker, supervisor or fel-low volunteer, but she will need to be nominated by someone like you.

�e Woodstock Professional and Business Women started the Woman of the Year pro-gram in 1975. A woman of the Year has been honored every year since with the exception of 1978, 1989 and 1994.

�e 37 WOTYs (Woatees), as Dar-lene Fiske refers to the past recipi-ents, are: Lillian Strohm, ’75; Helen Wright, ’76; Jean Smith, ’77; Marjorie Frye, ’79; Lela Boerner, ’80; Marga-ret Fyfe, ’81; Bertha Tammeus, ’82; Frances Kuhn, ’83; Gay Remich, ’84; �elma Arvidson, ’85; Dorothy McEchren, ’86; Charie Zanck, ’87;

Maggie Field Crane, ’88; Val Gitlin, ’90; Darlene Fiske, ’91; Cav Peterson, ’92; Mary Ellen Howard, ’93; Claire Brown, ’95; Joan Mansfield, ’96; Susan Martino, ’97; Bev Ganschow, ’98; Cheryl Wormley, ’99; Mary Roberts, ’00; Carol Louise, ’01; Denise Graff Ponstein, ’02; Ann Hughes, ’03; Pam Moorhouse, ’04; Suzanne Hoban, ’05; Lynda Markut, ’06; Ellyn Wrzeski, ’07; Virginia Peschke, ’08; Janelle Crowley, ’09; Phyllis Close, ’10; Jane Farmer, ’11; Sherry �urow, ’12; Laura Crain, ’13; and Jane Collins, ’14.

What would Woodstock be without the passion, commitment, work and leadership of these women? �eir efforts and accomplishments when woven together create a rich and beautiful tapestry that is Woodstock.

You have the opportunity to nomi-nate the 2015 recipient. Nominees must live and or work in the greater Woodstock area. From the nominations the selection committee will choose the woman whose leadership and creativity have contributed the most to

enhancing the quality of life in cultural affairs, economic development, edu-cation, environmental efforts, human services and/or civic endeavors in the Woodstock community.

Nomination forms are available online at www.wpbw.org/community or can be picked up at City Hall, the Woodstock Public Library, Wood-stock Chamber of Commerce & In-dustry, Opera House or the following Woodstock banks: American Com-munity, Chase, Fifth-�ird, Golden Eagle, BMO Harris and Home State. �e nomination deadline is Friday, March 20.

�e 2015 Woman of the Year will be announced and honored at a recep-tion at 6 p.m. Monday, April 20, at Stage Left Café. For more informa-tion, call Shelly Eslick at 815-338-1580 or Doreen Paluch at 815-334-1100.

Meet the candidates at our forum

Cheryl Wormley is publisher of The Wood-stock Independent.

Declarations

CherylWormley

» COLUMN

Burning acres of trees? There

must be a better way

Change is hard. And, every change is for better or worse, depending upon your perspective. Change is particularly hard when it happens quickly. I’m sorry, but telling me “it’s easier if you just rip the bandage off quickly” doesn’t lessen the pain.

I have no doubt the 400 acres of trees and shrubs bulldozed and left burning in giant brush piles certainly looked “worse” to the hundreds of neighbors on the north side of Woodstock a couple of weeks ago.

To the landowners, the end result of the land-clearing looked “better” after getting rid of the over-grown, unkempt nursery stock and opening the land up for row-crop farming. I have no doubt the phrase “we’re making progress” was used during the operation.

�at’s right, 400 acres of nursery stock

were bulldozed and burned north of Woodstock in recent weeks. �ousands of trees are gone forever. Some were quite mature – de-cades old. �e nurs-ery had become a wildlife area in a way, with many birds and other critters finding homes there over the years. Now there is just open, bare ground.

�e land will be farmed. Well, techni-cally, the nursery was always a farm, so the land will still be farmed – it’s just that a perennial crop of trees and shrubs that were harvested over the years based on the public’s desire for landscape material is being replaced with an annual crop that will likely rotate between corn and soybeans.

“Nothing to see here” was more-or-less the official response from the county officials I contacted. It is farmland, and state law gives farmers a lot of latitude in managing their land. �e owners have all their permits. �ey are following all the proper regulations. �ere is no law that says a farmer has to tell anyone about his plans to change crops.

�e city of Woodstock had no notice either. �e land is in the county’s juris-

diction, and the affected neighbors live in the city.

�e neighbors knew the nursery was private land. Some even remember when the nursery actively managed the trees and shrubs before the hous-ing crash. �ey just never imagined that new owners could bulldoze thousands of trees and shrubs and burn them in giant piles, day and night, without telling the neighbors.

If this were a subdivision proposal, people would have had notice. �ey would have had a chance to ask for buffers, for some habitat preserva-tion. Instead, the neighbors will have to wait and see what, if any, conservation practices the farmers use to control soil erosion and stormwater runoff, and maintain some wildlife habitat on the farmland.

I am not saying that anyone did any-thing wrong, but I am suggesting that there might be a better way to introduce oneself to the neighbors.

Upcoming March events: “Speaking of Nature” radio show

hosted by Lisa Haderlein, executive director of �e Land Conservancy, from 6 to 7 p.m. �ursday, March 12. You can listen to the show on www.harvardcom-munityradio.com or use the Tune-In App.

Yonder Prairie Restoration Day at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 15, at 14401 Trin-

ity Court, Westwood Lakes subdivision, Woodstock. By volunteering to help restore this natural area, participants will help raise $4,000 for �e Land Conservancy’s work on the property. No experience necessary. Hand tools and refreshments provided.

Oaks of McHenry County at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at Woodstock Public Library, 414 Judd St. Presentation, mov-ie and discussion of the state of the oak woodlands in McHenry County. Free.

Ecological Burn Training from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 28, at �e Land Conservancy of McHenry County, Hennen Conservation Area, 4622 Dean St., Woodstock. Cost: $35 TLC members, $50 nonmembers. TLC’s ecologist Me-lissa Hormann will instruct students on how to use fire to manage prairies, wet-lands and woodlands. Dress for being inside and outside. Safety equipment provided. Lunch is included. If weather conditions permit, students will burn a local natural area.

Ryder’s Woods Restoration Day from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, March 29. Park in the lot at 750 E. Kimball Ave., Woodstock. Volunteers’ efforts have opened up this beautiful oak woodland. No experience necessary. Hand tools and refreshments provided.

Lisa Haderlein is executive director of The Land Conservancy of McHenry County.

The Nature of Things

LisaHaderlein


EducationTesting goes ‘smoothly’ in D-200, but not everywherePARCC standardized test, administered online, replaces the ISAT


March Madness could conjure up new

connotations for some Illinois teachers

administering new standardized tests

this month.

Several school districts throughout the

state, including McHenry School District

15 and Oswego District 308, reported

having technical difficulties administer-

ing the Partnership for Assessment of

Readiness for College and Careers, oth-

erwise known as the PARCC test.

About one million students through-

out Illinois will take the exam, which

will be administered in two parts, ac-

cording to the Illinois State Board of

Education. Of those, about 75 percent

of students will take the online exam

using school computers. �e remaining

will be tested the old-fashioned way —

on paper, according to ISBE.

For Woodstock School District 200,

the testing appears to have started off

smoothly. About 3,000 students in third

through eighth grade, and 421 high

school juniors began taking the com-

puter version of the exam March 2. Two

students took the test on paper due to

accommodations.

“We are not having the issues ... other

districts are experiencing,” said District

200 spokeswoman Carol Smith. “Our

technology department has been work-

ing hard over the last several months

to ensure that our students are able to

take the test on computers.”

Smith said the district had some class-

rooms in which several students were

not able to log onto the computers. But

those students will take the exam on a

makeup date, she said.

“Overall, it has gone smoothly,”

Smith said.

PARCC is the new achievement test

for students enrolled in public schools

in 13 states including Illinois, replac-

ing the former Illinois State Achieve-

ment Test, otherwise known as ISAT,

and the Prairie State Achievement

Test, or PSAE.

�e PARCC exam was created to

assess how students are progressing

under the state’s new and more rigor-

ous standards, known as the Common

Core, in the areas of English language

arts and mathematics. �e exam is de-

signed to better gauge how well stu-

dents are prepared to advance to the

next grade level and college. It focuses

on “the most important knowledge

and skills that students need in these

subjects,” according to ISBE.

Elementary and middle school exams

Woodstock students in elementary

and middle school will be assessed

from March 2 to 20. �e students will

take three subtests each in reading

and math, which are the equivalent

number of subtests students took last

year on the ISATS, according to the

District 200 website.

�e second part of the PARCC test-ing for District 200 students will

be administered April 20 to May 15,

when students in grades 3 through 8

take two subtests each in reading and

math.

“All of these assessments are re-

quired by the Illinois State Board of

Education and will be administered

to all eligible students,” the district’s

testing information states.

�e test results will be reviewed by

district administrators and used to

improve school programs. Parents

will receive their children’s exam

scores in the fall.

High school exams A select number of District 200 high

school students will take the first part

of the PARCC exam from March 2 to

March 20, as well. Students in junior-

level English will take three subtests

in reading, and students enrolled in

junior-Algebra II classes will take

three subtests in math.

�e high school students will take

the second part of the PARCC test

April 20 through May 15, during which

junior-level English classes will be

tested on two subjects in reading, and

Algebra II juniors will take two math

exams.

COLLEGE CURRENTS

Rodig named to Minn. State College-SE Technical dean’s list

Justin Rodig, Woodstock, was named to the fall 2014 dean’s list at Minnesota State College-Southeast Technical, Winona, Minn.

Bianchi named to ONU fall dean’s list

Gina Bianchi, Wonder Lake, was named to the fall 2014 dean’s list at Olivet Naza-rene University, Bourbonnais.

Vormezeele graduates from UW-Platteville

John Vormezeele, Wonder Lake, earned a

Bachelor of Science degree in business ad-ministration from the University of Wiscon-sin-Platteville, Platteville, Wis.

Northern Michigan University announces dean’s list

Korinne Griffith and Emmalei King, Woodstock, were named to the fall 2014 dean’s list at Northern Michigan University, Marquette, Mich.

Park accepts grant from Augustana

Lisa Park, Woodstock, utilized Augie Choice, a $2,000 grant available to Augus-tana College students to fund a study abroad experience, internship or research project.


A & ECountry musician Ty Bates will headline Shamrocked Woodstock


Four live bands, green beer and plenty

of food will combine for the second annual

Shamrocked Woodstock Streetfest slated

for Saturday, March 14.

�ose wanting to partake in the St. Pat-

rick’s Day celebration can expect a few

important planning changes this year. �e

festival has been moved to Benton Street,

and won’t be held on Main Street like last

year. Organizers plan to erect a heated tent

to keep customers warm and comfortable

in the event of inclement weather.

“Last year, it was freezing, so this year

we will have a fully heated tent,” said fes-

tival coordinator Dan Hart, owner of D.C.

Cobb’s.

Four Benton Street businesses off the

Woodstock Square have collaborated to

present the Shamrocked Streetfest in-

cluding �e Cabin, Benton Street Tap, D.C.

Cobb’s and the Main Street Pour House.

�e fest will run from noon to 11 p.m., and

guests will be permitted to wander in and

out of the four businesses to buy drinks

such as craft beers and food. �ey’ll also

be permitted to walk through the festival

area with those drinks, Hart said. �e bars

will remain open until 2 a.m.

A bags tournament will kick off the action

at 1 p.m., featuring a $500 prize to the win-

ner. �e live music entertainment will start

at 2 p.m. with �e Kool and Funky Ones, a

dance funk band that also plays pop and

rhythm and blues. Chicago blues and rock

musician and band Jimmy Nick and Don’t

Tell Mamma will hit the stage at 6 p.m.

Woodstock native and rock musician

Ian Hall of �e Ian Hall Band will per-

form at 4 p.m. �e headliner for the day

is country music artist Ty Bates. Bates has

performed at D.C. Cobb’s in the past and

has made his mark in the country music

world.

In addition to the food at the four spon-

soring businesses, including a corned beef

dinner special at D.C. Cobb’s, this year’s

Shamrocked will include food vendors

Rosati’s Pizza and Munch. Munch will be

serving a Guinness stew, Hart said. Green

beer, the staple of any respectable St. Pat-

rick’s party, will sell for $3 per drink in the

outside tent area.

Everyone must be at least 21 to enter the

festival, and admission is free, Hart said.

�e Shamrocked Woodstock Streetfest

started last year when the four businesses

decided to improvise on the original Main

Street Music festival held in June. �e two-

day affair was popular with guests but im-

posed upon some of the neighboring busi-

nesses and traffic attempting to reach the

Square, Hart said.

�e group decided to host three sepa-rate one-day festivals: the Shamrocked;

Music Fest on June 20; and Octoberfest on

Oct. 10.

“�is is a collaborative effort to promote

tourism,” Hart said. “We’re hoping to get

about 1,600 people.”

St. Pat’s Streetfest to return for second yearWhen: Saturday, March 14, starting at noonWhere: Benton Street Admission: Free (must be at least 21 to enter)

SHAMROCKED WOODSTOCK STREETFEST

"The Drowsy Chaperone," TownSquare Players

TownSquare Players’ latest production is a musical, “The Drowsy Chaperone,” which continues at the Woodstock Opera House, 121 Van Buren St., at 3 and 8 p.m. March 14 and 21 and at 3 p.m. March 15 and 22.

Below is an interview with Catherine L. Yore, who plays the title role in the comedy.

Name: Catherine L. Yore

Town of residence: Wonder Lake

Role in "The Drowsy Chaperone": The Chaperone, as played by Beatrice Stockwell

1. You have a lot of experience onstage. How does acting in a goofy comedy like "The Drowsy Chaperone" compare with other roles you've played?

It's great to play someone so dispa-rate from my own personality. The Chaperone/Dame Beatrice is this confident, prepos-sessing, command-ing person, and I am none of those things. She's also an alcoholic, and I've never been drunk, but pretending to be is pretty fun.

2. Which of your character's qual-ities do you most identify with?

Only one: Her love for the stage. Is that a quality? Let's say that it is. The stage is her home and she adores the limelight; she never wants to leave it. I don't blame her! There's nothing quite like the theater.

3. What have you learned from your work on this production?

Working as the choreographer was terrifying. I've never done it before, but this cast was fantastic and willing and adaptable... I learned what it's like to see your vision come to life through these great, capable people on stage, and it is fantastic. I also learned that I want to get better at being a choreographer, because I'd probably like to do it again some day.

» SPOTLIGHT

Catherine L.Yore

10 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTMarch 11-17, 2015 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WOODSTOCK’S ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTSThe Entertainer

» MUSICOPEN MIC NIGHTMarch 13, 27, 7 p.m.Stage Left Café125 Van Buren St. $3 donationoffsquaremusic.orgOpen Mic is sponsored by Off Square Mu-sic. Various artists will perform in 15-minute slots.

STAGE LEFTOVERSMarch 18, 25, 7:30 p.m.Stage Left Café125 Van Buren St. The Stage Leftovers, consisting of Rich Prezioso, Joe Pesz, Brian Murphy, Laurel Palma, Pete Jonsson and Les Urban, will per-form.

LIVE MUSIC AT EXPRESSLYLESLIE’SMarch 20, 6 p.m.Woodstock Square Mall110 Johnson St.FreeBig Fish will perform.

JAZZ JAMMarch 20, 8 p.m.Stage Left Café121 Van Buren St.815-337-1395$5 donationJazz Jam is sponsored by Jazz on the Square. Artists will perform jazz music.

WNHS JAZZ CONCERTMarch 20, 7 p.m.Woodstock North High School Performing Arts Center3000 Raffel Road815-334-2127Woodstock North High School’s jazz band and jazz choir will perform.

DAN ZAHN AND KATE MORETTIMarch 21, 8 p.m.Unity Spiritual Center of Woodstock225 Calhoun St.$10 suggested donation815-338-5164The pair play traditional folk, blues, country swing, jazz and original music, and they will be celebrating the release of their latest CD, “East Dakota Waltz.”

CARBON LEAFMarch 29, 7 p.m.Woodstock Opera House121 Van Buren St.$25-A seating, $18-B seating815-338-5300Carbon Leaf is a Virginia-based quintet that blends Celtic, folk, bluegrass and American roots music traditions together to create a unique indie rock sound.

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKETApril 4, 9 a.m. to noonMcHenry County Farm Bureau1102 McConnell RoadFreeGuyz with Bad Eyez

FIRST SATURDAY MUSICApril 4, 7 p.m.Unity Spiritual Center of Woodstock225 W. Calhoun St.$3 donation815-337-3534Visitors can participate in the open mic night or enjoy the show. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

» THEATER‘THE DROWSY CHAPERONE’March 14, 21, 8 p.m.March 14, 15, 21, 22, 3 p.m.Woodstock Opera House121 Van Buren St.$24815-338-5300TownSquare Players will present the story of a present-day musical theater fanatic as he talks about his favorite Broadway musi-cal, “The Drowsy Chaperone.”

» LECTURECREATIVE LIVING SERIESMarch 19, 10 a.m.Woodstock Opera House121 Van Buren St.$24815-338-5300Art historian and Art Institute of Chicago lecturer Jeffrey Nigro will discuss the aspect of “dress and undress” in the fashions of Jane Austen’s day.

» MOVIESPreviews of films currently playing at the Woodstock Theatre unless otherwise noted.

‘THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE: SPONGE OUT OF WATER’SpongeBob and all his friends venture to land to find a stolen recipe. “The Sponge-

Bob Movie: Sponge Out of Water” is di-rected by Paul Tibbitt (“The SpongeBob Squarepants Movie”) and stars the voices of Antonio Banderas (“Puss in Boots”), Frankie Muniz (“Malcolm in the Middle”) and Clancy Brown (“Highlander”). RATED PG, 93 MINUTES

‘MCFARLAND, USA’A cross-country team in a small Califor-nia town is transformed into a champion-ship team by its new coach. “McFarland, USA” is directed by Niko Caro (“Whale Rider”) and stars Kevin Costner (“Bull Dur-ham”). RATED PG, 128 MINUTES

‘THE DUFF’A social pecking-order revolution is insti-gated by a high school senior after she is labeled the DUFF (Designated Ugly Fat Friend). “The DUFF” is directed by Ari Sandel (“West Bank Story”) and stars Bella Thorne (“Blended”).RATED PG-13, 101 MINUTES

‘CHAPPIE’In the future, a police robot is stolen and repro-grammed to help fight an oppres-sive government. “Chappie” is directed by Neil Blomkamp (“Dis-trict 9”) and stars Sharlto Copley (“The A-Team”), Dev Patel (“Slumdog Mil-lionaire”) and Hugh Jackman (“The Pres-tige”). RATED R, 120 MINUTES

‘UNFINISHED BUSINESS’A business owner and his associates travel to Europe to close an important business deal. Hilarity ensues. “Unfin-ished Business” is directed by Ken Scott (“Delivery Man”) and stars Vince Vaughn (“Wedding Crashers”), Dave Franco (“Neighbors”) and Tom Wilkinson (“In the Bedroom”). RATED R, 91 MINUTES

‘CINDERELLA’After her father’s untimely death, young Ella finds herself at the mercy of her cruel stepmother and stepsisters, until she meets a dashing stranger in the woods. “Cin-derella” is directed by Kenneth Branagh (“Henry V”) and stars Lily James (“Down-ton Abbey”), Hayley Atwell (“Captain America: The First Avenger”) and Richard Madden (“Game of Thrones”).RATED PG, 112 MINUTES

‘RUN ALL NIGHT’A mobster has one night to fig-ure out if his loy-alties lie with his estranged son or his best friend. “Run All Night” is directed by Jaume Collet-Ser-ra (“Unknown”) and stars Liam Neeson (“Nell”) and Ed Harris (“Apollo 13”).RATED R, 114 MINUTES


Marketplace


When customers purchase a particular

candle in a jar at Green Box Boutique on

the Woodstock Square, they subsequently

are helping a hungry orphan in another

part of the world.

Stocked among one wall display in

the small boutique are an assortment of

Bridgewater Candles in various colors

and scents. Just above them, a sign reads,

“Light a candle, feed a child.” For every

sale of an 8.8-ounce candle, a portion of

the proceeds is forwarded to the not-for-

profit organization Rice Bowls, which pro-

vides food to hungry children throughout

the world.

Connie Citarelli, owner of Green Box

Boutique, said she selected the product

because of its charitable mission, and also

because the candles are made with clean-

burning, earth-friendly ingredients.

“When I decided to open this shop, I

was looking for eco-friendly and fair-

trade products,” said Citarelli, who lives in

Woodstock with her husband, Dominick.

“I spent many long hours searching on my

home computer. Back then, it wasn’t as

easy to find those types of products as it

is today.”

Citarelli opened Green Box Boutique

five years ago at 108 N. Benton Street. Her

dedication to providing eco-friendly mer-

chandise was inspired by her husband, an

organic gardener since the 1970s.

“He was the first organic gardener I ever

met,” said Citarelli.

In addition to carrying “green” handi-

crafts, Citarelli was adamant none of her

merchandise would be mass-produced in

faraway factories. She sought fair-trade

products made by companies offering

better pay and work conditions for em-

ployees.

During her expansive internet search,

Citarelli landed on the Bridgewater Candle

Company from Spartanburg, S.C. offering

clean-burning soy-based candles in a va-

riety of fragrances. Listed on Bridgewa-

ter’s “pillars of promises” is its dedication

to sharing its financial blessings by giving

back to those in need through the “Light a

Candle, Feed a Child” offer.

�e 8.8-ounce candle jars cost $16.50

at Green Box Boutique. Bridgewater for-

wards a portion of the proceeds to Rice

Bowls, which currently provides food to

orphanages in Haiti, Honduras, Nicara-

gua, South Africa, Rwanda, Ethopia, In-

dia and the Philippines, according to the

Rice Bowls website. �e site also states

nearly 163 million children in the world

are orphans.

“Every two seconds, another orphan

dies from malnutrition,” the Rice Bowls

website states. “Malnutrition plays a

part in more than half of all child deaths

worldwide.”

Citarelli said she has many loyal cus-

tomers who love the Bridgewater candles.

Her big sellers are the Sweet Grace and

Sea Grass scented candles, which burn for

70 hours. Keeping with the eco-friendly

theme, the decorative glass containers

can be washed with soap and water and

reused.

“�ey sell quickly,” said Citarelli, who

finds herself continuously restocking the

candles. “Candles are a big part of my

business and so are my personal-care

items,” said Citarelli. “[My big sellers] are

things that make people feel good.”

Square shop’s candle sale benefits children’s charity

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Of-fice Feb. 18 to 24:

Residence at 1256 Lee Ann Lane, Woodstock, was sold by the Federal Na-tional Mortgage Association, Dallas, to James Pera, Woodstock, for $139,661.

Residence at 15204 Kishwaukee Val-ley Road, Woodstock, was sold by Peter Kral, Indian Hills, Colo., to Ludek and Alena Meszarosova, Woodstock, for $231,000.

Residence at 701 Barbary Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Raymond and Vio-letta Uramkin, Woodstock, to HP Illinois I LLC, Chicago, for $210,000.

Tavern at 223 N. Benton St., Wood-stock, was sold by Duffy’s Bar Inc., Wood-stock, to Mar Paul Enterprises Inc., Wood-stock, for $220,000.

Residence at 2336 Linden Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Anna Dabrowska, Woodstock, to Patricia Ryan, Woodstock, for $70,000.

Residence at 521 Meadow Ave., Woodstock, was sold by Intercounty Ju-

dicial Sales Corporation, Chicago, to North Shore Holdings Ltd., Chicago, for $116,000.

Residence at 410 Raffel Road, Woodstock, was sold by Matthew Rogulic, Johnsburg, to Christopher Ross and Shel-bie Lebbin, Woodstock, for $109,000.

Residence at 9903 Lucas Road, Woodstock, was sold by the Mildred Delano Revocable Trust, Evanston, to Bret Richards, Woodstock, for $250,000.

Residence at 1313 Queen Anne St., Woodstock, was sold by James and Sta-cy Hess, Woodstock, to Meghan Hayes, Woodstock, for $150,000.

Residence at 2860 Haydn St., Woodstock, was sold by Michael and Pa-tricia Neal, Woodstock, to Borislav and

Debra Peric, Gilberts, for $210,000. Residence at 9408 Creekside Drive,

Wonder Lake, was sold by Ridge Enter-prises LLC, Round Lake Beach, to Michael Cummuta, Wonder Lake, for $166,500.

Residence at 1121 Queen Anne St., Woodstock, was sold by the Secretary of Housing & Urban Development, Chicago, to Skorhomes LLC, Lake in the Hills, for $31,000.

Residence at 3116 Shenandoah Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Ralph and Laurel Nimmer, Bella Vista, Ark., to Jere-my Wojdyla, Woodstock, for $108,000.

Residence at 18804 Dunham Road, Woodstock, was sold by the First National Bank of Omaha, DeKalb, to Georgetown Partners Inc., Woodstock, for $150,000.

Phyllis Close wins Chamber awardBy STEPHANIE PRICE

The Independent

Phyllis Close’s husband, Roger, joked

he may need to build another wall in the

couple’s Woodstock home to accommo-

date his wife’s awards and plaques.

Phyllis Close, 75, has spent the 17 years

of her retirement volunteering for sev-

eral organizations including the Wood-

stock Chamber of Commerce, Wood-

stock Professional and Business Women

and Woodstock Moose Lodge. She is co-

chairwoman of Harvest Fest and Fair in

the Square held every fall and founder of

the nonprofit Bear Hugs of Chicagoland.

Because of her generosity, Close was

named recipient of the 2015 Harold

Buschkopf Award Feb. 19 by the Wood-

stock Chamber of Commerce & Indus-

try at its 70th annual dinner and awards

ceremony held at the Woodstock Public

House.

“Phyllis won because she has been a

consummate volunteer for many organi-

zations,” said chamber Executive Direc-

tor Shari Gray, who nominated Close for

the award.

Chamber members aren’t the only ones

taking notice of Close’s good deeds. Just

two days later, Close received the Life-

time Achievement award from the Illinois

Women of the Moose at the organiza-

tion’s midyear convention. As a longtime

member of Women of the Moose Chapter

364, Close has served as chapter chaplain

and currently is junior regent.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Close. “I didn’t

expect either one. I’ve been watching

people win the Harold Buschkopf for 16

years and never thought I’d get it. And

this was the first time I had ever attended

the Moose convention.”

When embarking upon her journey to

help others, Close first established the

nonprofit organization Bear Hugs of Chi-

cagoland, the first “den” in Illinois repre-

senting Good Bears of the World. As an

avid teddy bear collector, Close loved the

idea of sharing bears with people needing

something to brighten their day. �rough

that project, Close has distributed more

than 19,000 teddy bears to children and

adults suffering from illnesses or trau-

matized by tragic events over the past

17 years. She typically delivers about

1,000 bears every year, raising all the

funds to pay for them, and gives them

to rehabilitation centers, hospitals, the

Illinois Burn Camp, fire and police de-

partments, nursing homes, hospice

units, shelters and churches.

“�e magnitude of Phyllis’ volunteer

efforts in Woodstock is as equally im-

pressive,” Gray said. “Each year, she

donates hundreds of teddy bears to

Christmas Clearing House for the an-

nual communitywide effort to provide

holiday gifts for needy families. She

does this entirely on her own, know-

ing that she is helping people who have

special needs.”

Close has been a regular volunteer

with the Woodstock Chamber for more

than 15 years, from serving on the board

of directors to serving as membership

ambassador. She’s been a member and

treasurer for the Woodstock Profession-

al and Business Women since 1999. She

originally became involved with each

group because she wanted to make con-

nections to promote Bear Hugs.

“When we moved here to Woodstock,

I stopped by the chamber office to pick

up a map, and that’s when I became a

volunteer,” Close said.

Close’s past honors include earning

the Woodstock chamber’s first Volun-

teer of the Year award in 2005, Woman

of the Year in 2010 from the Woodstock

Professional and Business Women and

Moose Chapter 364’s Hometown Hero

Award.

At the 70th annual dinner, the Wood-

stock chamber named recipients of

several awards for 2014. Professional

Service Provider of the Year Award was

presented to Jolene White of Re/Max

Plaza. Cindi Carrigan, of Carrigan De-

sign, was named Volunteer of the Year,

and Jaci’s Cookies won Retailer of the

Year honors. �e city of Woodstock

took home the Industry of the Year

award.

Volunteer’s commitment to local organizations earns her the Buschkopf Award

“Phyllis won because she has been a con-summate volunteer for many organizations.”

— Shari Gray, Woodstock Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

Phyllis Close is winner of the 2015 Harold Buschkopf Award from the Wood-stock Chamber of Commerce. Pictured, from left, are: Kathryn Loprino, chamber board president; Jo and Kenzie Graff, daughter and great-grand-daughter, respectively, of Harold Buschkopf; Close; and Shari Gray, chamber executive director. PHOTO COURTESY OF FINZEL FOTOS


CommunityLocal author celebrates 90th birthday

By JANET DOVIDIOThe Independent

On Feb. 14, Erane Elizabeth

Scully turned 90. She has re-

sided in Woodstock since 1960.

Scully is a local author who

has spoken to many book clubs

and organizations about her

two books, “�e Carrion Vine”

and “Scattered by the Winds

of War.” �ey trace the story of

her and her mother’s capture

by the Russians in World War

II, their years in a Siberian la-

bor camp and their eventual

journey to safer places in Per-

sia, Iraq and India.

She celebrated her birth-

day with family and friends at

a Feb. 14 surprise party. Anya

Schelbe, Sue Pemberton, Nan-

cy Young, Jerry Wendt and Jan

Bosman organized the event. “I

didn’t want a party,” said Scully,

“and I was looking forward to

shopping with friends that day.

But once I got over the shock,

I really enjoyed spending the

time with friends, especially

many whom I hadn’t seen in 50

years.”

Scully was born in Swit-

zerland and speaks German,

French, English, Polish and

some Russian. She is twice wid-

owed. She and her second hus-

band John relocated to Wood-

stock from Chicago. “We chose

Woodstock because we both

fell in love with the Square,”

she said. “You could buy any-

thing on the Square and it was

beautiful!“ John relocated his

medical practice to the Square,

where he moved into the office

of a retired doctor.

Scully’s colorful life includes

many hobbies. She has driven

in car races, including in her

beloved MG. She raised horses

on their Woodstock property.

She loves dogs, especially her

airedales.

Scully considers the writ-

ing of her two books among

her biggest accomplishments.

She began “�e Carrion Vine”

when she was 30 and spent

many years combing through

her mother’s diary from the

war years to gather the facts.

�e book was finally complet-

ed and published in 2002. Af-

ter many requests by readers

who asked, “What happened

next?” she published the se-

quel, “Scattered by the Winds

of War,” in 2014.

“I have always followed my

mother’s advice,“ Scully con-

tinued, “to live as well as you

possibly can, and to always do

everything right.”

HIGHLIGHT

News of recognitions and milestones can be sent to Janet Dovidio at [email protected].

By TRICIA CARZOLIThe Independent

During several visits through Wood-

stock this winter, U.S. veteran Lon Hodge

and his service dog Gander successfully

navigated through several establishments

on and around the Square.

Hodge, who lives on base at the Naval

Station Great Lakes, has made it his mis-

sion to make life with a service dog easier

for the next service-dog handler.

“We have been in establishments where

we were given a hard time, and we had to

call the police,” said Hodge, who requires

Gander for mobility assistance and post-

traumatic stress disorder.

“We don’t want a battle, but if a manager

or staff member is unaware of the Ameri-

cans with Disabilities Act, calling the po-

lice and using that as a launch pad for a

conversation and for education is some-

thing that we’ve felt has helped us and

helped others,” he said.

�e ADA explicitly states that service

dogs are working animals – not pets.

Working service dogs are trained to assist

people with disabilities – including guid-

ing those who are blind, alerting the deaf,

protecting and alerting someone who is

having a seizure and calming someone

with PTSD.

�ese dogs are allowed access anywhere

the general public may go. According to

the ADA, the service dogs must be har-

nessed unless it interferes with the service

animal’s work.

According to the ADA website, a manager

or staff member may legally ask two ques-

tions of the handler: whether or not the dog

is a service animal required because of a

disability, and what work or task the dog

has been trained to perform.

Hodge also is certain to keep Gander in

his service dog vest at all times in public.

“We don’t want to cause any doubt in any-

one’s mind that Gander is a service dog.

When he is with me, he is working. He is

doing the job he was trained to do.”

After realizing that not many people are

as familiar with service dogs as with other

service aids such as wheelchairs, canes and

scooters, Hodge took it upon himself to be

an advocate. It is his hope that more vis-

ibility will lead to less questioning – for the

person who may be struggling with accep-

tance of his or her disability.

He has been instrumental in meeting

with Starbucks management to create a

workshop for senior managers, helping to

initiate literature for staff members regard-

ing service dogs and in training staff in the

ADA guidelines for service dogs.

“We may be working with managers in

rehearsing possible scenarios,” he said. “It

is exciting to know that we are part of the

education process.”

How did Woodstock measure up?

Hodge has travelled internationally with

Gander. In his visits to Woodstock, Hodge

was impressed.

“Woodstock was great. Everyone was very

accommodat-

ing,” he said.

S t a r b u c k s

baristas – who

would not have

been made

aware of the

new training

program before

the visit – wel-

comed Gander

and Hodge with

only one ques-

tion asked.

Hodge ate at

local establish-

ments and shopped. He felt welcomed at all

places he visited – and enjoyed his time in

Woodstock.

Hodge hopes to one day live in a world

where people see a service dog and feel the

same way they would about a wheelchair – “No one asks why you need a wheelchair,

but they still question service dogs,” he said.

“I don’t mind talking to people about Gan-

der because that is the mission I’ve chosen

in life, but some men and women might not

feel comfortable talking about the reasons

they require a service dog. �at is why I am

doing this – to make it easier for the next

person and [his or her] service dog.”

To learn more about the Americans with

Disabilities Act, visit ADA.gov

To learn more about Hodge’s experienc-

es and mission, visit www.veterantraveler.

com.

Veteran makes dog accessibility a mission“We don’t want to cause any doubt in anyone’s mind that Gander is a service dog.”

— Lon Hodge, veteran and service dog-handler

Lon Hodge and service dog Gander look out over Lake Michigan after a walk. Hodge is an advocate for service animals. COURTESY PHOTO

IN BRIEF

Film and program highlights oaks in McHenry County

The Land Conservancy will present a free one-hour program at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 15, at the Woodstock Public Library, 414 W. Judd St., discussing the status of the oak woodlands in McHenry County. The pro-gram will include a film titled “The Oaks of McHenry County,” followed by a short pre-sentation and discussion. Suggestions for what local citizens can do to improve the health and longevity of oak ecosystems will

be presented.For information, call TLC at 815-338-9502.

WPBW looking for next Woman of the Year

Nominations are currently being accepted for the 2015 Woman of the Year award, given out annually by the Woodstock Professional & Busi-ness Women organization.

The award is given to a woman living or working in the greater Woodstock area whose

leadership and creativity in cultural affairs, eco-nomic development, education, environmental efforts, human services or civic endeavors have contributed to enhancing the quality of life in the Woodstock community.

Nominations forms are available at City Hall, the Woodstock Public Library, the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce & Industry, the Wood-stock Opera House and the following Wood-stock banks: American Community, Chase, Fifth-third, Golden Eagle Community, BMO Har-ris and Home State. Forms also are available online at wpbw.org/community.

The nomination deadline is Friday, March 20. For information, call 815-338-1580.


Everyone at Olson Elementary would like to thank the kind and generous businesses below who donated products and services

for our March 6th Fun Fair. Their dedication to our students is greatly appreciated, and all proceeds will be used for assemblies,

educational materials, and special events. Thank you.

All Seasons OrchardAmerican Girl / MattelAnimal Hospital of WoodstockBarbara SchneiderBrunswick ZoneBull Valley Golf ClubCanning IncCentegra Health SystemCentury TileColor Me MineCrystal Ice HouseCrystal Lake GymnasticsDermaVita MediSpaG.C. MillsGlo Bowl of MarengoHair CutteryIllinois Railway Museum

Johnson Oil CompanyJump Rope GirlsKristensen Service Center IncLandSeaAirLaVer B. Jensen Insurance AgencyLloyd's Paint 'N Paper, IncMark Mitchell & State Farm InsuranceMcHenry County Conservation DistrictNails 2000Nierman Landscaping & DesignNorth WallRead Between the LynesReEnergizeSports City AcademyUptown SalonWalmartYoung Masters Martial Arts

COMMUNITY

‘Book’ your tee time at the

libraryShouts of “Fore!” are not the normal

sounds associated with libraries, and truth be told, I hope we don’t hear it too often at the Woodstock Public Library Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14. But there will be golfers in the library on those days — albeit only miniature golf-ers — so you can never be certain. It is that time of year again —the an-nual Friends of the Library Mini Links Golf Outing is just around the corner. �is is your chance to putt your way through the library, support the Friends of Woodstock Li-brary, and generally have a great time.

�is year’s course will feature tradi-tional favorites like “Putt through Tut” and the infamous “Toilet Hole,” but there will be some new challenges as well. Several new sponsors have joined us this year, and there could be some very inter-esting hole designs on the links this time around. �e course will again travel all three levels of the library, and with the changes made last April, several holes are guaranteed to be different from last year. Naturally, there will be a 19th hole where anyone can stop by and enjoy a

delicious Jaci’s Cookies cookie. As always, there will be fabulous raffle

prizes to be won, including the Tower of Games, golf accessories and Page for a Day for Rep. Jack Franks. Raffle entries began March 2, with the winning tickets being drawn at the end of the event on Saturday. Winners need not be present to win. Raffle tickets are $1 each or 6 for $5.

Mini Links again will feature a Fri-day night event just for the grown-ups March 13. �e Library After Dark event will include a round on the course, hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Attendees must be 21 years or older to participate. Tickets for the Library After Dark event are $25 per person and must be purchased at the library in advance. No tickets will be sold at the door.

�e traditional Saturday Mini Links will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (the last tee time) March 14. A round of golf is $3 for children 8 and younger and $5 for all others. Tickets may be pur-chased at the door. Golf professionals from Bull Valley, Woodstock, Boulder Ridge and Prairie Isle country clubs will play a round in the afternoon. Anyone who beats their scores will win a prize. Golfers who hit a hole-in-one at the designated hole will win a (model) car or other prize.

�is is a fun, unique event that the whole family can enjoy. And all the pro-ceeds benefit the Friends of the Library, a group whose sole purpose is to make the Woodstock Library a better place for everyone in our community. For more information, visit the library’s website at www.woodstockpubliclibrary.org or call 815-338-0542. Just be careful not to yell “Fore!” too loudly!

» COLUMN

Nick Weber is director of the Woodstock Public Library.

Check It Out

NickWeber

IN BRIEF

Art of the Land display opens in Woodstock

The Art of the Land photo contest display will be available for viewing during busi-ness hours Monday, March 16, to Tuesday, March 31, at the Woodstock Public Library, 414 Judd St.

Sponsored by The Land Conservancy of McHenry County, the contest for amateur

photographers will highlight the inspiring nature of TLC’s land preservation work. Par-ticipating photographers are matched with specific TLC-owned or- stewarded property, and entries will be judged. Winners will be displayed at TLC’s Art of the Land Benefit at the Starline Gallery in Harvard, and then displays will be moved to various locations throughout the county for viewing.

For information on next year’s contest, call 815-337-9502.

14 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTMarch 11-17, 2015 COMMUNITY

HIGHLIGHT

Bus drivers, mechanics manage ‘nasty’ weather

By JANET DOVIDIOThe Independent

Woodstock School District 200’s bus

drivers and mechanics had a tough win-

ter, but according to district officials,

they were able to manage the difficult

weather conditions.

Director of Transportation Diane

Carter provided the details of winter

challenges. She said last winter had the

highest number of cold days in all of her

25 years with the district.

�ere are 96 buses and three vans to

transport 5,000 students daily. �ere

are 100 drivers and two mechanics who

will substitute when needed.

Severe weather predictions are dis-

cussed the night before until about 3

a.m. by Superintendent Michael Moan,

building and grounds director Ken

Roiland and Carter to determine wheth-

er school will be canceled for the day. A

decision is made by 4 a.m.

On days when the temperature is be-

low 5 degrees and school is in session,

four drivers and three mechanics start

all the vehicles in the fleet at 4 a.m. On

snowy days, the drivers and mechanics

first clean off all the vehicles, then move

the entire fleet in order for the mechan-

ics to plow the lot.

In all weather conditions, each driver

performs a full “pre-trip” on the buses,

which is 10 to 15 minutes of check-

ing bus fluids, tire pressure and depth,

lights, stop arms and flashing reds and

yellows.

“When there is a breakdown,” said

Carter, “our drivers offer to help each

other out. �ey jump in when available

to pick up a student, especially when

the weather is cold and nasty. �e safety

of the children always comes first.”

�ree drivers have worked for D-200

for 35 or more years: Albert Krejci, fore-

man; LouAnn Krejci, driver; and Delann

Kee, driver.

“Our drivers and mechanics are awe-

some,” Carter continued. “Woodstock

200 is very fortunate to have wonder-

ful staff throughout the district. �ey

should all be applauded.”

News of recognitions and milestones can be sent to Janet Dovidio at [email protected].

IN BRIEF

MCCD to host syrup and sugar candy event

The McHenry County Conservation Dis-trict will host Maple Boil: Making Syrup and Sugar Candy, from 7 to 9 p.m. Thurs-day, March 19, at Coral Woods Conser-vation Area, 7400 Somerset, Marengo.

This hands-on program for adults will get participants actively involved in finish-ing a batch of maple syrup in the evapo-rator at Coral Woods. The process will be taken a step further to create maple cream and maple sugar candy. If successful, each participant will bring home a small sample of their labors. Please note, the success of the program is very weather-dependent.

Registration deadline is March 16 and the program fee is $8 for county residents or $10 for nonresidents. Registration is being accepted online at mccdistrict.org, by phone at (815) 479-5779 or by mail and walk-in at Prairieview Education Cen-

ter, 2112 Behan Road, Crystal Lake.

Early voting requirements announced

McHenry County voters can cast a ballot prior to the April 7 Consolidated Election without offering a reason or an excuse. The early voting law, effective in Illinois, allows voters to cast a ballot at an early voting center March 23 through April 4. All ballot styles are available at early voting centers.

In Woodstock, early voting will be avail-able at the McHenry County Administra-tion Building, 667 Ware Road, second floor, Conference Room A. Voting hours will be from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mon-day through Friday, March 23 to 27; 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 28; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, March 29; 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday, March 30 to April 2; 9 a.m. to noon Fri-

day, April 3; and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, April 4.

For more information about early voting or other available location, call 815-334-4242.

MCC announces summer and fall registration dates

McHenry County College has an-nounced registration dates for summer and fall 2015 classes. Summer classes are available during the day, night and online, and they offer a convenient and affordable option for college students who need to pick up some credits or re-take a class. Most credits will transfer back to four-year schools.

General registration for summer 2015 at MCC will begin at 8 a.m. Monday, March 16; general registration for fall 2015 credit courses will begin at 8 a.m.

Monday, April 27.For registration information, visit www.

mchenry.edu/registration or call the MCC registration office at (815) 455-8588.

African Children’s Choir to perform in CL

The African Children’s Choir will per-form at 7 p.m. Friday, March 13, at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake. The program will feature well-loved children’s songs, tradi-tional spirituals and gospel favorites. The concert is free and open to all. A free-will offering will be taken at the performance to support African Children’s Choir pro-grams such as education, care and relief and development programs.

The African Children’s Choir is a non-profit humanitarian and relief organiza-tion dedicated to helping Africa’s most vulnerable children.

15March 11-17, 2015THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTCOMMUNITY

16 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTMarch 11-17, 2015 COMMUNITY


FLASHBACKS

25 years ago Singer-songwriter Arlo Guthrie per-

formed a solo concert at the Woodstock Opera House for the 10th Annual Benefit for Special Olympics and Northern Illinois Special Recre-ation Association.

Jarret Graff, a fifth-grader at Greenwood School, received a $200 savings bond for placing first in the national 1989 “Invent Amer-ica” competition. Graff’s teacher received a $250 grant and Greenwood School received a $500.

Members of the Woodstock Education Association, the local chapter of the Illinois Education Association, filed a request with the Illinois Education Labor Relations Board to challenge Woodstock Local #1642 of the American Federation of Teachers Union for bargaining rights on behalf of District 200 teachers.

20 years ago District 200 Board members discussed

possible budget cuts, including eliminating af-ter-school activities and increasing class sizes, should the approaching April 4 referendum fail.

Tiffany Smith, 12, won the district spell-ing bee in Woodstock and advanced to the McHenry County Spelling Bee finals.

District 200 board members approved a resolution stating their commitment to obtaining

water and sewer services from the city for the proposed high and middle schools on Raffel Road.

Jim Schulty, owner of AmeriPrint, ap-peared before the Woodstock City Council seeking approval to build a 25,000-square-foot plant on 28 acres near Routes 14 and 120.

15 years ago Starbucks signed a lease to open a cof-

fee shop at 129 Van Buren St., formerly the location for Apple Creek Flowers.

The Woodstock Public Library Board voted to change the temporary location the library would use during construction to the for-mer Diamond Exteriors building, 222 Church St.

The new $1.4 million Woodstock Fire/ Rescue District Station 2 on Dean Street was placed into service.

10 years ago Fire destroyed the original Edgetown

Bowl, 1330 S. Eastwood Drive. The owners eventually rebuilt the alley.

Woodstock Police Chief Joseph T. Mar-vin announced his retirement after 27 years of service.

Woodstock High School quarterback Brandon Benda committed to play Division 1-AA collegiate football for Drake University.

5 years ago Woodstock School District 200 ap-

proved the sale of $10.4 million in life-safety bonds to fund improvements at 11 schools.

Pioneer Center for Human Services and the 22nd Judicial Circuit of the McHenry Coun-ty Mental Health Court announced a group- home collaboration agreement, designating a specific group home to serve Mental Health Court patients.

Marian Central Catholic High School boys basketball won the IHSA Class 3A Wood-stock North Regional championship, beating Prairie Ridge High School 56-52 in overtime.

Home of the Sparrow and Turning Point launched a joint program, called Sparrow’s Point, aimed at ending homelessness and im-proving the lives of women and children.

1 year ago The city of Woodstock created a third

“bring your own bottle” liquor permit classifica-tion, allowing nonrestaurant businesses to host BYOB events.

Woodstock School District 200 tapped Woodstock native and 1991 WHS graduate Mike Moan as new superintendent to replace retiring Superintendent Ellyn Wrzeski.

Ryland Homes began building 32 homes on lots in the previously abandoned subdivision The Sonatas.

RELIGION NOTES

BLUE LOTUS TEMPLE & MEDITATION CENTER

Meditation: 10 a.m. Tuesday, Saturday;7 p.m. Monday, Wednesday

CHRIST LIFE

Worship: 10:30 a.m. Sunday

EDEN BAPTIST

Worship: 3 p.m. Sunday (Spanish)

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST

Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN

Worship: 9 a.m., 10:30 a.m. Sunday

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

Worship: 9 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday

FREE METHODIST


GRACE FELLOWSHIP


GRACE LUTHERAN1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road 815-338-0554 Worship: 5 p.m. Saturday (casual); 8:30 a.m. (traditional), 10:45 a.m. (contemporary)

HERITAGE BAPTIST4609 Greenwood Road


MCHENRY COUNTY JEWISH CONGREGATION8617 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake815-455-1810Worship: 6:30 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. Saturday

REDEEMER LUTHERAN

Worship: 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday

RESURRECTION CATHOLIC2918 S. Country Club Road 815-338-7330Worship: 8 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday; 5 p.m. Saturday; 8 a.m. weekdays

ST. ANN’S EPISCOPAL

Worship: 8:30 and 10 a.m. Sunday

ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN

Worship: 6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. Sunday

ST. MARY CATHOLIC

Worship: 7:30 a.m. Monday through Saturday; 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


THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS


THE VINE


UNITY SPIRITUAL CENTER


WOODSTOCK ASSEMBLY OF GOD

Worship: 9 a.m. Sunday prayer service, 10 a.m. worship service

WOODSTOCK BIBLE


fifth grade)

p.m. Sunday

COMMUNITY


11 | WEDNESDAY

DAYTIME BOOK CLUBRead Between the Lynes129 Van Buren St.12:30 p.m.815-206-5967The group will discuss “The Johns-town Flood” by David McCullough.

SNACK TIPS FOR ROAD TRIPSWoodstock Public Library414 W. Judd St.6:30 p.m.815-338-0542Discover how to find, make and en-joy healthy snacks on the road.

13 | FRIDAY

OPEN MIC NIGHTStage Left Café125 Van Buren St. 7 p.m.$3 donationoffsquaremusic.orgSee The Entertainer, page 10.

LIBRARY AFTER DARKWoodstock Public Library414 W. Judd St.7 to 9 p.m.$25 per person, must be purchased in advance815-338-0542woodstockpubliclibrary.orgAttendees 21 and older will be able to golf in the library and enjoy hors d’oeuvres and drinks.

14 | SATURDAY

HAHS TACK & CRAFT SALEHooved Animal Humane Society10804 McConnell Road9 a.m. to 4 p.m.$3 suggested donation815-337-5563hahs.orgThe Hooved Animal Humane Society sale will feature deals from the HAHS tack shop and outside vendors. The event will include tours of the farm.

NORTHERN ILLINOIS ROCKETRY CONVENTIONChallenger Learning Center222 E. Church St.9 a.m. to 4 p.m.An open house will be held.

MINI LINKS GOLFWoodstock Public Library414 W. Judd St.10 a.m. to 3 p.m.$5 adults, $3 children under 8815-338-0542woodstockpubliclibrary.orgAn 18-hole miniature golf course will be set up in the library.

‘THE DROWSY CHAPERONE’Woodstock Opera House121 Van Buren St.3 and 8 p.m.$24815-338-5300See The Entertainer, page 10.

15 | SUNDAY

TLC WORKDAYYonder Prairie

14401 Trinity Court10 a.m. to 1 p.m.Volunteers will help clear invasive species from an oak restoration area.

HELPING PAWS NEW VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONHelping Paws Shelter2500 Harding Lane1 p.m.815-338-4400helpingpaws.netHelping Paws will offer a monthly ori-entation to new volunteers.

SAVE OUR OAKS!Woodstock Public Library414 W. Judd St.2 p.m.815-338-0542The Land Conservancy will present a free program about the status of oak woodlands in McHenry County. The film “The Oaks of McHenry County” will be shown.

‘THE DROWSY CHAPERONE’Woodstock Opera House121 Van Buren St.3 p.m.$24815-338-5300See The Entertainer, page 10.

16 | MONDAY

AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAMWoodstock Police Department656 Lake Ave.10 a.m. to 2 p.m.$15 AARP members, $20 nonmem-bers815-338-6787A two-day driver safety class de-signed for drivers age 50 and older will be offered. Drivers who attend both days may be eligible for a dis-count on their auto insurance.

VILLAGE OF BULL VALLEY PLANNING COMMISSIONThe Stickney House1904 Cherry Valley Road7 p.m.

EVENING BOOK CLUBRead Between the Lynes129 Van Buren St.7 p.m.815-206-5967The group will discuss “The Resur-rection of Tess Blessing” by Lesley Kagen.

17 | TUESDAY

AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAMWoodstock Police Department656 Lake Ave.10 a.m. to 2 p.m.$15 AARP members, $20 non-mem-bers815-338-6787See March 16.

LUCK OF THE IRISH DINNERThe Grand Old Mill7514 Barnard Mill RoadWonder Lake6 p.m.$25 per person815-728-0682The annual Wonder Lake Chamber

dinner will include a traditional Irish meal, cocktails and live music.

DISTRICT 200 BOARD OFEDUCATION MEETINGClay Professional Development Center112 Grove St.7 p.m.woodstockschools.orgMeetings will be on the second floor. Use the parking lot behind Clay Academy and enter via Door 5.

CITY COUNCIL MEETINGWoodstock City Hall121 W. Calhoun St.7 p.m.

QUILTERS DISCUSSION FORUMWoodstock Public Library414 W. Judd St.815-338-05427 p.m.The monthly meeting of the Quilters Forum will offer discussion, sharing and a show-and-tell project.

18 | WEDNESDAY

WORLD FILM NIGHTWoodstock Public Library414 W. Judd St.6:30 p.m.815-338-0542The independent film “The Violin” will be shown.

WOODSTOCK LIONS CLUB MEETINGMain Street PourHouse214 Main St.815-236-4759The monthly meeting for the Wood-stock Lions Club is open to the public.

STAGE LEFTOVERSStage Left Café125 Van Buren St.7:30 p.m.See The Entertainer, page 10.

19 | THURSDAY

WOODSTOCK SENIOR CLUBSHearthstone Communities840 N. Seminary Ave.10 a.m. to 2 p.m.A fee will be charged for lunch, $2 donation for bingo.815-344-3555The activities will include a coffee klatch and bingo. Registration is re-quired.

CREATIVE LIVING SERIESWoodstock Opera House121 Van Buren St.10 a.m.$24815-338-5300See The Entertainer, page 10.

MURDER & MAYHEMWoodstock Public Library414 W. Judd St.7 p.m.815-338-0542woodstockpubliclibrary.orgThe book club reads two to three mys-teries on a certain theme per month. Books are available at the circulation desk.

CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM414 W. Judd St.7 to 8:30 p.m.815-338-8040Eight candidates are vying for three seats on the Woodstock City Council. Their responses to questions will give attendees insight into their qualifica-tions and platforms.

UNITY SINGLES GROUPUnity Spiritual Center225 W. Calhoun St.7 to 8:30 p.m.$5 requested donation815-337-3534unitywoodstock.orgThe Rev. Tom Wendt will facilitate the get-togethers.

20 | FRIDAY

WPBW NOMINATION DEADLINEMar. 20 is the deadline for nomina-tions for the 2015 Woman of the Year award given out annually by the Woodstock Professional & Business Women organization.wpbw.org/community815-338-1580

AARP SENIOR TAX APPOINTMENTS EVENTWoodstock Public Library414 W. Judd St.9 a.m.815-344-3555 to schedule an ap-pointmentVolunteers from the AARP will as-sist senior citizens with their income taxes. Appointments must be made ahead of time.

CAREGIVERS SUPPORT GROUPFamily Alliance2028 N. Seminary Ave.1 to 2:30 p.m.815-338-3590An open support group meeting will be offered for anyone giving care to an older person.

LIVE MUSIC AT EXPRESSLYLESLIE’SWoodstock Square Mall110 Johnson St.6 p.m.815-338-2833See The Entertainer, page 10.

WNHS JAZZ CONCERTWoodstock North High3000 Raffel Road7 p.m.815-334-2127See The Entertainer, page 10.

JAZZ JAMStage Left Café125 Van Buren St.8 p.m.815-337-1395$5 donationSee The Entertainer, page 10.

21 | SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK MODEL RAILROAD GROUPWoodstock Public Library414 W. Judd St.9 a.m. to noon

815-338-0542The monthly meeting of model rail-road enthusiasts is open to the public. There will be a model presentation followed by a layout tour at a mem-ber’s house.

BARK FOR BOOKSWoodstock Public Library414 W. Judd St.10 to 11:30 a.m.815-338-0542woodstockpubliclibrary.orgChildren in first to fifth grades can read to a dog. Participants can sign up at the reading desk after 9 a.m.

‘THE DROWSY CHAPERONE’Woodstock Opera House121 Van Buren St.3 and 8 p.m.$24815-338-5300See The Entertainer, page 10.

DAN ZAHN AND KATE MORETTIUnity Spiritual Center of Woodstock225 Calhoun St.8 p.m.$10 suggested donation815-338-5164See The Entertainer, page 10.

22 | SUNDAY

HOT COCOA & STORY HOUREthereal Confections113 S. Benton St.10:30 a.m.815-575-9315Children’s stories will be read aloud around the fireplace, and every child will receive a free children’s hot co-coa.

‘THE DROWSY CHAPERONE’Woodstock Opera House121 Van Buren St.3 p.m.$24815-338-5300See The Entertainer, page 10.

23 | MONDAY

SPRING BREAK WEEKWoodstock District 200

ART CLUB MEETINGDusty’s Pizza7613 Howe Road, Wonder Lake815-353-0157A group is forming and will be open to interested artists, writers, photogra-phers and artisans.

MEN’S BOOK CLUBRead Between the Lynes129 Van Buren St.7 p.m.815-206-5967The group will discuss “Kitchen Confi-dential” by Anthony Bourdain.

March 11to 23

CALENDARUpcoming events in the Woodstock area Events are free unless otherwise noted

For ongoing events, visit www.thewoodstockindependent.comPHOTO: MIKE T NORTON

BEST BETSELECTION

To submit calendar items, e-mail [email protected] or visit

thewoodstockindependent.com

COMMUNITY

21March 11-17, 2015THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTPUBLIC NOTICES

PUBLIC NOTICEASSUMED NAME

Public Notice is hereby given that on

PUBLIC NOTICE











PUBLIC NOTICE


Public Notice is hereby given that on March

PUBLIC NOTICE





PUBLIC NOTICENotice is hereby given that the Annual











SPORTS

Meyer breaks records at Olson ForumPhillip Meyer, a Woodstock gradu-

ate and St. Olaf College senior, never

owned the Olson Forum Record, nor

the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic

Conference Indoor Championship Meet

record in the 3,000-meter run, but he

broke both and shattered one. At the

MIAC Indoor Championships, which

were hosted by Concordia College-

Moorhead, Meyer finished the race in

8 minutes, 27.68 seconds, which was

good for second. He was topped by

Grant Wintheiser, also a St. Olaf harrier,

who finished in 8:25.51. �e former Ol-

son Forum record was 8:42.83 and had

stood for 10 years.

�e old MIAC meet record was

8:28.10, set by Wintheiser in 2014.

Meyer also competed in the

5,000-meter run and finished second.

He finished in 14:41.85. �e top time of

14:40.93 was run by St. Olaf junior Jake

Campbell. St. Olaf finished second with

142 points. University of St. �omas

won the meet with 162 points.

Cody Johnson (Woodstock) com-

peted in two events

at the Northern

Athletic Collegiate

Conference Indoor

Track and Field

Championships. �e

Milwaukee School

of Engineering

senior competed in

the 55-meter dash

(12th, :06.95) and

the 200-meter dash

(18th, :24.64). MSOE

finished second

with 115.50 points.

Aurora University won the team title

with 160.50 points. �e outing was

hosted by Wisconsin Lutheran College

and held at the Petretti Fieldhouse in

Kenosha.

Women’s basketballArianna Davis (Woodstock) scored

376 points and pulled down 256 re-

bounds for McHenry County College

this year. In addition to her 14.5 points

and 9.8 rebounds per game, she also

had 49 steals, 15 blocked shots and 12

assists. She scored her points by hitting

148-for-339 from the floor and 79-for-

116 free throws. She had one trey. Davis

played in 26 games and made 22 starts.

Sara Crain (Woodstock North), also

a MCC player, finished the year with 94

points and 110 rebounds, averages of

3.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game,

respectively. She had 17 steals and 13

assists. She hit 40 field goals, which

included one trey, and 13 free throws.

Crain played in 28 games and started

seven. McHenry County is 15-14.

Men’s basketballRoss Langlois (Marian Central)

recently finished his junior season of

basketball at Monmouth College. �e

5-foot-11, 165-pound guard, who played

in 18 games and averaged 11.9 minutes

per game, finished the year with 34

points and 14 rebounds. He averaged

1.9 points per game. Langlois also had

19 assists and five steals. He had 12 field

goals (two treys) and eight free throws.

Monmouth was 16-8 overall and 13-5 in

the Midwest Conference.

Message from Dan ChamnessDo you know of an athlete compet-

ing in college who could be included in

the College Report? To be included, the

athlete needs to be a resident of Wood-

stock or be a graduate of Woodstock,

Woodstock North or Marian Central

Catholic high schools. �e athlete must

be participating on an intercollegiate

team that competes against other

schools.

Names of eligible athletes can be emailed

to [email protected]. Please put “Wood-

stock Independent” in the subject line.

Include the name of the athlete, the former

high school, the college/university, town of

residence and, of course, the sport.

» COLUMN

The College Report

DanChamness

Dan Chamness follows the college athletic careers of Woodstock-area athletes.

Promote Woodstock Talent

Get Your Company’s Name Out...

BE A SPONSORThe Woodstock Independent is looking for sponsors of weekly features such as:Student of the Week, Athlete of the Week, and The College Report.

Call for details 815-338-8040

22 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTMarch 11-17, 2015 SPORTS

Promote Woodstock talent...

Get your company’s name out...

Be a sponsor

The Woodstock Independent is looking for sponsors of weekly features such as: Student of the Week, Athlete

of the Week, Pet of the Week and The College Report.

Most start at just $50 a week.

Call Melissa for details.815-338-8040

last outing together.”An emotional Baker said he strug-

gled to find words for his team after the game.

“I couldn’t get much out in the locker room,” Baker said. “It was such a plea-sure to have coached those four seniors [Mason Sutter, Cameron Grisiola, Ryan Princer and Abt]. I’ll miss them.”

Streaks defeat Marian in semifinal�e Streaks, who finished the season

16-10, advanced to the final by defeating Marian Central Catholic High School 62-54 March 3. �e Streaks had four players score in double figures while allowing only four Hurricanes to score. For the Streaks, Sutter scored 16 points, junior Zach Cullum scored 13 points, ju-nior Vannis Smith scored 11 points, and Kubiak scored 10 points. For Marian Central, senior Wyatt Lindell and junior Adam Pischke each scored 21 points.

Marian Central head coach Curtis Price said his team got ahead of them-selves against the Streaks.

“We obviously didn’t play well,” Price said. “I felt that we tried to come out and win the game before it started. We came out in the first half and tried to put them away in the first couple of minutes, and when that didn’t happen, it set the tone for the rest of the night.

“We didn’t rebound well. We didn’t shoot well. We just couldn’t get our-selves going.”

�e Hurricanes finished the season 14-16.

“Next year, we are going to be young,” Price said. “We’re going to have some guys outside of Adam [Pischke] and

Sam [Ohlrich] who do not have a whole lot of varsity experience. But, at the same time, we have a lot of talent coming up. We had a good freshman class, and we have some good sopho-mores coming in, so I’m excited about the group we have next season.”

North loses to Harvard March 2Woodstock North High School lost

52-41 to Harvard High School March 2 in the first round of the regional tour-nament. Freshman Collin Mergl scored 15 points and senior Josh Jandron scored 12 points for the �under, who finished the season 5-20.

WNHS head coach Steve Ryan said he was impressed with the devel-opment of Mergl, who averaged 9.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game.

“Collin came a long way since the beginning of the season,” Ryan said. “We thought he could handle the var-sity level, and, when he first came up, it took some time to get adjusted to the speed and strength of the game. He fit right in and became a force down the stretch the last six to eight weeks of the season.”

Regional Continued from Page 24

By JAY SCHULZThe Independent

Although the Woodstock North High School boys basketball team’s season ended March 2, it is not over for two �under players.

Senior Josh Jandron and junior Conor Lawrence finished in the top four at the IHSA Class 3A regional 3-Point Show-down March 6 and have qualified for the IHSA Class 3A sectional 3-point Show-down Friday, March 13, at Rochelle High School.

Jandron took the easy route to qualify-ing by making nine 3-point baskets to tie for second overall. Lawrence had a tough-er road. He made eight 3-point baskets in the regular shootout and six in a tiebreak-er with five other players to advance.

“It’s exciting,” Jandron said. “�e pres-sure is higher going down to sectionals. I’m going to shoot – do what I do best.”

Jandron, who shot 44 percent from the 3-point line during the season, sinking 92, said he dedicated himself to improv-ing last summer.

“I stayed in the gym until 11, 11:30 at night, and I begged my dad to open the gym early in the morning,” Jandron said. “I just kept working on every aspect of my game.”

Jandron, who finished the season as the �under’s all-time leading scorer with 1,112 points, said he hopes to have a college selected soon so he can continue his basketball career.

Lawrence, who did have a 3-point shot in the six games he played this season,

said once he settled in, his shot started to fall.

“I was really nervous at first,” Lawrence said. “When I got into a rhythm, I started hitting my shot.”

Lawrence said a key for him this week will be to stay calm.

“When I go out there, I need to try not to be nervous like I was today,” Lawrence said. “Hopefully, I can make more shots.”

WNHS head coach Steve Ryan said he is proud of his players’ accomplishments.

“It’s a great accomplishment for [Josh and Conor],” Ryan said. “It’s exciting to have two kids going to the sectional championship game and shoot. I’m very proud of them.”

2 WNHS boys advance

to 3-point sectional

» BOYS BASKETBALL Sectional 3-Point Showdown

“I felt like, as a team, we really played for each other. We had a great last outing together.”

— Bradon Abt, WHS basketball player

WHS junior Conor Lawrence shoots a basket at the IHSA Class 3A regional 3-Point Showdown March 6. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

23March 11-17, 2015THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTSPORTS

said the school district is in discussions

with the Renaissance Committee but

said District 200 would not use its own

funds to pay for the project.

“�e goal of that group is to fund it

from the outside,” Moan said.

Gwen Wormley, a member of the Turf

Subcommittee, said members of the

committee have donated money and

are talking with former coaches and

students, parents and owners of local

businesses to be donors to the project.

“�ere is a lot of support and desire

for this improvement. It is an exciting

opportunity,” said Wormley, who is In-dependent publisher Cheryl Wormley’s

daughter-in-law.

Wilson said discussions about re-

placing the sod with synthetic turf have

been taking place for about two years in

an effort to seek ways to use the small

campus area more efficiently.

“When you start talking about that,

you start talking about a surface that

allows you to use it more and that’s

how we moved to the viability of syn-

thetic turf for that area,” Wilson said.

“What it does is bring another set of

programs back on campus – boys and

girls soccer.”

Currently, the soccer teams play their

games at Emricson Park and practice at

Olson Elementary School, about a half-

mile from campus.

Synthetic turf, being more durable

than sod, would mean Larry Dale Field

also would support physical education

classes and community youth sports.

“�is [project] maximizes a space for

us that we are currently unable to use

efficiently,” Wilson said.

According to the Synthetic Turf

Council, most turf fields are warrantied

for eight years but can last a lot longer

depending on usage and maintenance.

Wilson noted replacement cost would

be about one third of the original cost

because no prep work will be needed –

only the turf would need to be replaced.

Wilson said he believes the project is

ready to move forward.

“We’re so excited about this,” Wilson

said. “We’ve been keeping this under

the vest [for a while]. ... We’re ready

to partner with our friends and family

in the Woodstock community to aid

in this wonderful project. I believe we

have the pieces in place to make this

project a go.”

Wilson said the effort’s website, wh-

sturfcampaign.com, will be up by the

end of the week.

By MEGAN IVERSThe Independent

“�ere is nothing like seeing the look

on your child’s face when they finish a

race and hit a goal they have been chas-

ing all season,” said Lance Zimmerman,

whose daughter is in her sixth season as

a member of the Woodstock Dolphins

swim team.

With more than 100 swimmers, the

team has established itself as a pre-

miere youth activity for the area, well-

positioned to offer young swimmers

competitive swimming and to bring the

benefits of competitive swimming to

Woodstock.

�e benefits are most often seen in

postseason meets. Recently, 24 Dol-

phins qualified to compete in the re-

gional. Head coach Mike Kavanaugh

said it was a groundbreaking accom-

plishment. Sixteen of the 24 competed

in the 12-and-under age group.

“It’s a culmination of good coaching,

and the kids also are exposed to more

meets and more of what’s on the ISI (Il-

linois Swimming Inc.) and USA Swim-

ming side,” said Kavanaugh.

Both are competitive youth swim-

ming organizations.

“Every year, we want to try and pick

up where we left off and see what we

can do better as a staff,” said head coach

Mike Kavanaugh. “How can we turn

those swimmers around to help them

reach their ceiling?”

�e team helps swimmers develop

over time and reach their potential, or

ceiling, through consistent training,

support and access to club meets pri-

marily in the Midwest.

In addition to indoor and outdoor

competitions throughout the year,

coaches train swimmers to best lever-

age strengths and constantly improve

their strength and technique. Coach-

es are given basic parameters within

which to operate, but they customize

the training based on the needs of spe-

cific groups of swimmers.

“We want them to try and aspire to be

their best ... Every kid has a ceiling, and

we want them to hit that level and go

beyond that level,” Kavanaugh said.

Sarah Stimes’ daughter came to the

team as a 15-year-old swimmer with

seven years experience. After joining

the Dolphins, she improved from an

entry-level state qualifier to a national

qualifier.

“�e team aspect is great for kids as

they learn from each other, not only

technically, but how to support and help

each other on good days and bad,” said

Stimes.

�e support is why swimmers stay

with the team.

“From coaching to the volunteering,

to the kid-friendly fundraising events,

it’s teaching kids the value and reward

of hard work in and out of the pool,”

said Zimmerman. “Our coaching staff

does a great job of helping the kids learn

proper swim technique as well as teach-

ing them the importance of goal setting,

nutrition and exercise.”

�e Dolphins will look to a feeder

program that is entering its second

season to help boost numbers on the

primary team. Swimmers interested in

joining the team can attend the team’s

“Try It” practices at Woodstock North

High School Wednesday and �ursday,

April 1 and 2.

» SWIMMING Woodstock Dolphins

Dolphins swimming grows in competition“How can we turn those swimmers around to help them reach their ceiling?”

— Mike Kavanaugh, Dolphins coach

FieldContinued from Page 24 and my family.”

“�e entire process was enjoyable,”

said WHS head coach Jen Nichols-Ho-

gle, who won the competition in 2006.

“She did an extremely good job, espe-

cially for her first time in the contest.

She was very consistent getting down

state. When she was downstate, she

was nervous about the different atmo-

sphere, but she did a good job adjusting

to it.”

Overly said Nichols-Hogle really

helped her prepare.

“She gives the best advice,” Overly

said. “�e biggest pointer to me was

just to have fun, to enjoy. I’m a junior

and I can always try to make it back

again. I really needed to enjoy it this

time.”

Nichols-Hogle said she hopes Over-

ly’s success will carry over to next sea-

son as the Blue Streaks will look for her

to score more with the departure of se-

nior Selena Juarez, who led the team in

scoring this season.

“I think the experience will give her

more confidence in her shot next year,”

Nichols-Hogle said. “I can’t count the

number of times I told her to shoot the

ball [this year]. She knows she has a

beautiful shot. She’s more of a distribu-

tor. She wants to give the ball to some-

one else.”

Overly Continued from Page 24


COLLEGE REPORT

PAGE 21

Dan Chamness follows college

track and hoops

SWIMMING

The Woodstock Dolphins attract

more and more swimmersPAGES 23

BOYS BASKETBALL

A pair of Thunder players advance

in the 3-point contestPAGE 22

SportsSportsPlans underway for synthetic field at Larry Dale Field

By JAY SCHULZ and KATELYN STANEK

The Independent

If plans come to fruition, Larry

Dale Field at Woodstock High

School will have synthetic turf by

the fall of 2015.

Athletic Director Glen Wilson

said the idea of installing syn-

thetic turf on the high school’s

only football and soccer field is

being led by community sup-

porters, part of the WHS Re-

naissance Committee. �e com-

mittee’s goals include “injecting

more positives, enhancing the

positives, at our grand old cam-

pus that is coming up on 100

years old,” Wilson said.

�e majority of the funding

for the $950,000 project will

be from private donations, with

a $400,000 lead contribution

from an anonymous Woodstock

family.

But Woodstock City Council-

man Mike Turner has announced

his support for the project and

has proposed the city contribute

$150,000. He said a synthetic-

turf field could take pressure off

city fields now and in the future.

“I believe it potentially buys

us, from a city perspective, years

upon years — decades — of utili-

zation of a resource of a turf field

for youth football, youth soccer

and potentially lacrosse or any-

thing else that can be played on

there. It increases capacity across

the board now and in the future

for everybody,” Turner said.

Turner has asked that funding

for the project be included in the

city’s 2015-16 budget, which will

be voted on in April.

Superintendent Mike Moan

TURF TIME

Private donations would be used to fund most of the $950,000 project at WHS, but the city of Woodstock could pitch in

Please see Field, Page 23

Overly finishes

2nd in class at

state 3-point

contest

WHS basketball player makes it to the final four

By JAY SCHULZThe Independent

Woodstock High School junior

Brecken Overly found herself in the

corner again – just as she liked it in the

IHSA Class 3A 3-point state competi-

tion at Illinois State University’s Red-

bird Arena in Normal. Overly made

eight baskets and was tied with two

other competitors. In the tiebreaker,

Overly made seven of 10 baskets from

the corner – she made eight from the

corner the week before in a tiebreaker

at the sectional shootout.

“I was excited,” Overly said of hav-

ing another chance from the corner.

She said the other two contestants in

the tiebreaker said they had not pre-

pared for that shot. “It was a really

good confidence booster to know go-

ing into it that was my spot.”

With the seven swishes, Overly ad-

vanced to the final four of the Class 3A

3-Point Showdown March 6.

Initially, Overly led the March 6

shooting with nine baskets. �e next

shooter made 11 to advance to the

championship against the Class A,

Class 2A and Class 4A winners. Overly

finished second in Class 3A.

Shayne Smith of Shiloh High School

in Hume won the 3-point final.

“It was really exciting, really nerve-

wracking,” Overly said. “I wasn’t ready

for it to be that big, that many people.

It was a really great experience. It was

really fun to be there with my coach

» GIRLS BASKETBALL State 3-point Showdown

Please see Overly, Page 23

Blue Streak Vannis Smith makes his way around a Marengo player in the Class 3A regional championship March 6. The Streaks lost 62-48. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Streaks fall in regional finalBy JAY SCHULZThe Independent

�e Woodstock High School boys

basketball team had hopes March 6 of

claiming its second Class 3A region-

al championship in three years. �e

Marengo Indians had hopes, too, and

they pummeled the Blue Streaks from

long range, making 11 3-point baskets

on the way to a 62-48 victory.

�e Indians scored the first two bas-

kets of the game – both 3-pointers – but

the Streaks were able to tie the game

up at six. From that point, the Streaks

fought an uphill battle trying to keep up

with the hot-shooting Indians.

“�ey have great shooters,” said

WHS head coach Al Baker. “�ey made

11 [3-point baskets] and only made six

shots inside [the 3-point line]. �at’s

what put it out of reach.”

In the second quarter, the Indians built a

12-point lead, capitalizing on six turnovers

by the Blue Streaks.

“We had a lot of turnovers,” Baker

said. “We are disappointed in that. We

turned the ball over too much in the

first half.”

In the fourth quarter, the Streaks

tried to make a game of it. With a lit-

tle over three minutes to play, senior

Bradon Abt hit a 3-pointer to bring

the deficit to seven points. On the very

next play, the Streaks stole the ball,

but Abt missed from the same spot on

the floor. �e Streaks would never get

closer as the Indians eventually built a

20-point lead by converting from the

free-throw line as the Streaks were

desperately trying to get back into the

game.

“�ey have to get credit for their

free-throw shooting,” Baker said. “If

we were going to get back in the game,

it was going to take some missed free

throws. And, they just didn’t do it.”

Abt led the Streaks with 17 points.

Junior Nick Kubiak added 10 points.

Abt said he was proud of how hard

his team played.

“We knew coming in that playoffs

are always fun. And yet, you have to

give everything you have when you

are out there, because you don’t know

if it’s going to be your last game or not,”

Abt said. “I felt like, as a team, we really

played for each other. We had a great

Please see Regional, Page 22

» BOYS BASKETBALL

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