Woodstockindependent 6 17 15

1June 17-23, 2015THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

INDEPENDENTTheWoodstock June 17-23, 2015

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

NEWS

PAGE 4

Woodstock hires Jeff Van Landuyt as its new Public Works director

MARKETPLACE

The city will ask business owners about a possible Square smoking ban

PAGE 12

ENTERTAINMENT

A comic book illustrator shares his tips with young artists

PAGE 9

OBITUARIES 5

OPINION 6

EDUCATION 8

A & E 9

MARKETPLACE 12IND

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 13

CALENDAR 18

CLASSIFIEDS 19

PUBLIC NOTICES 21

SPORTS 24

Dennis M. Burrs, WoodstockHorst E. Abt, Woodstock

“I wanted to be a dancer really bad, and I realized that life without ballet wouldn’t be a life.”

— Madeline Nichols, page 9

By STEPHANIE PRICEThe Independent

�e gold and blue barn

quilt on Ron Peterson’s old

red barn depicts his Swed-

ish heritage.

�e “1915” painted on the

quilt represents something

important as well. �at’s the

year Alfred Peterson, Ron’s

grandfather, purchased the

family’s farm at 2903 Ver-

mont Road.

Alfred Peterson originally

bought 190 acres in Febru-

ary 1915, and the family pur-

chased more land over the

years, bringing the farm’s

total acreage to 275. Now

100 years later, the Peterson

family continues to own and

farm the land.

“I feel proud that our

family stayed in one place,”

said Ron Peterson, who is

a member of the McHenry

County Historical Society.

“I’m very proud to be able

to keep our farm in the fam-

ily for this many years. Our

dad spent a lot of hard years

keeping the farm going.”

�e Peterson farm recently

Local tech company to build solar panel project

By KATELYN STANEKThe Independent

About 75 union members and their

supporters gathered on the Wood-

stock Square June 10 for a rally to op-

pose Gov. Bruce Rauner’s economic

and labor policies.

�e rally, organized in part by

Woodstock’s Carlos Acosta of the

American Federation of State, Coun-

ty and Municipal Employees Local

2833, was part of a statewide effort to

garner support for union workers.

In sweltering heat, union members

held signs and chanted as labor orga-

Woodstock’s Peterson farm earns centennial status

Please see Farm, Page 4

Councilman RB Thompson speaks to union members and their sup-porters June 10 on the Woodstock Square. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY EMMA KRUPP

Please see Rally, Page 3

From left, Jean Faithfull, Anna Cooper and Beth Rehm portray World War II-era airplane maintenance workers during Barnstormer Day June 13 at Galt Airport, 5112 Greenwood Road. The event included vintage planes and cars on display, biplane rides and a pancake breakfast. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

THEY CAN DO IT


Most people know Other

World Computing in Wood-

stock by its 196-foot-tall wind

turbine towering above the

farm fields and corporate build-

ings off Highway 14.

Known as OWC, the busi-

ness at 8 Galaxy Way is a Mac

and PC technology company

with locations in Austin, Texas,

and Las Vegas. �e company is

dedicated to its sustainability

efforts, and with the recent ad-

dition of the adjacent building

at 6 Galaxy Way, is preparing

Union stages rally to oppose Rauner’s plans

Please see OWC, Page 3

Other World Computing’s project will be one of the largest private ventures of its kind in Illinois

2 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTJune 17-23, 2015 NEWS

3June 17-23, 2015THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTNEWS

Teens arrested for burglaries to Woodstock storesBy STEPHANIE PRICE

The Independent

�e Woodstock Police Department ar-

rested two teenage boys in connection

with several burglaries that occurred re-

cently at a gasoline station, a liquor store

and Farm & Fleet.

�e boys, ages 14 and 15, were each

charged June 10 with three counts of

burglary, three counts of criminal dam-

age to property and three counts of theft.

Both juveniles also were charged with

one count of purchase and/or accep-

tance of alcohol by a minor and curfew

violation. �e teens were released into

the custody of their guardians pending

an appearance in juvenile court.

�ey are not being named due to their

ages.

Woodstock Police Chief Robert Low-

en said his department was investigat-

ing burglaries that occurred at 3:14 a.m.

June 3 at Kristensen Service Center, 230

Washington St.; 4:22 a.m. June 6 at Arm-

anetti’s Liquor, 1550 S. Eastwood Drive;

and 5:56 a.m. June 8 at Farm & Fleet,

11501 Highway 14.

In a news release, Lowen said numer-

ous cartons of cigarettes were stolen

from Kristensen’s. Beer, liquor and cigars

were reported stolen from Armanetti’s

Liquor, and three BB guns were stolen

from Farm & Fleet, Lowen said.

In all three incidents, the suspects al-

legedly forced their way into the busi-

nesses by using nearby rocks to shatter

the glass doors.

Woodstock police officers made con-

tact with the two teens at about 2:45 a.m.

June 10 in the area of South and Dean

streets.

�e 14-year-old was wearing a green

sweatshirt with the number “686” on the

front, similar to one worn by the suspect

depicted in video surveillance from the

Farm & Fleet break-in, Lowen said. �e

15-year-old allowed police to search his

backpack, and officers found two BB pis-

tols similar to those stolen from Farm &

Fleet, Lowen said.

�e juveniles were detained and trans-

ported to the Woodstock Police Depart-

ment, where they were interviewed by

detectives. Charges against the teens

were filed after WPD conferred with the

McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Of-

fice. �e charges include Class 2 felonies,

Class 4 felonies, a Class 3 felony and a

Class A misdemeanor.

RallyContinued from Page 1

Union members gather June 10 on the Woodstock Square to rally against Gov. Bruce Rauner’s pro-posed economic and labor reforms. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY EMMA KRUPP

to implement one of the largest pri-

vately owned solar panel projects in

the state.

“Our turbine produces more power

than our buildings consume,” said Lar-

ry O’Connor Sr., OWC logistical/secu-

rity manger. “We’re a zero consumer of

electricity.”

O’Connor said OWC’s solar project

will supplement the company’s power

as it expands. OWC already installed

solar panels on the roof of its Austin fa-

cility and will soon install 770 SunPow-

er solar panels on the roof of its Wood-

stock site. Coincidentally, the panels

are the same brand Apple Computer

is using to create a large solar field,

O’Connor said.

“We researched all the types of solar

panels,” O’Connor said. “I wanted the

best and the most efficient.”

O’Connor said the panels, which

will be operational by July, will help

supplement power needed for its cur-

rent Woodstock distribution center

and the newly acquired facility, the

neighboring Becmar Sprinkler build-

ing, which OWC purchased in Decem-

ber 2014. OWC bought the building be-

cause it ran out of space at its current

37,500-square-foot facility, where it

relocated to in 2008.

“We are expanding offices because

we ran out of room here,” O’Connor

said. “�e solar panels will supplement

the power as we expand. We want to be

a zero consumer of electricity.”

OWC doesn’t draw its power di-

rectly from the wind turbine. �e tur-

bine produces power 24 hours a day,

sometimes turning more at night than

day, O’Connor said. Its power is trans-

ferred to an energy grid system, which

in turns sells the power to consum-

ers. OWC gets a credit, so to speak,

for the power it generates to the grid.

O’Connor stipulates that all power

drawn by OWC is produced by wind

farms.

O’Connor said OWC has many sus-

tainability programs in place including

a small employee vegetable garden on

the premises, a composting program

in the employee lunch room, its wind

and soon-to-be implemented solar

programs, and recycling efforts imple-

mented at the distribution center.

“OWC really strives to conserve and

preserve resources,” O’Connor said.

“Resource preservation is just common

sense.”

O’Connor estimates the company’s

recycling efforts results in only 2 to 3

percent of its byproducts ending up

as solid waste. �e company received

LEED Platinum Certification by the

Green Building Certification Institute

in 2010.

Implementing the energy-saving

initiatives cost more money up front,

adding about 35 percent to the cost of

construction, but OWC is focused on

the many long-term benefits of using

them.

OWC has 160 employees. �e compa-

ny manufactures Apple and PC product

accessories, and ships them throughout

the world. It also assembles refurbished

Apple products and sells them along

with a guarantee. It also manufactures

solid state hard drives for Apple com-

puters in its Austin facility.

Wind Continued from Page 1

nizers, political activists and a Wood-

stock councilman called for the defeat

of Rauner’s proposals.

“�e governor, basically, as I see it,

has been asking AFSCME to voluntari-

ly commit organizational suicide with

the implicit threat that if we don’t, he’s

going to kill us by locking us out of our

workplace,” Acosta told the crowd.

AFSCME employees, who include

state workers in the human services,

mental health, child protection and

health care arenas, are renegotiating

a contract with the state that expires

June 30. �at contract is one of many

deals caught up in the ongoing budget

dispute between Rauner and Demo-

cratic legislators.

During and after the rally, union mem-

bers accused Rauner of attempting to

balance Illinois’ budget on the backs of

the lower and middle classes by propos-

ing to cut $400 million in state services.

�ey also said his Turnaround agenda,

which in part seeks to enact localized

right-to-work zones, will result in pay

and benefits cuts to workers. Rauner,

meanwhile, has placed the blame on

legislators in Springfield, who approved

a spending plan that includes a revenue

gap of about $3 billion.

RB �ompson, a member of the

Woodstock City Council who said he

was on hand to represent himself but

not the city, condemned Republican

policies he said are hurting the middle

class by undermining unions.

“�ere are two political parties,”

�ompson said. “One represents the

royals, the kings. One represents the

American dream. … When the middle

class wins, all of America wins.”

�is echoed �ompson’s statements

during an April 7 council meeting,

when �ompson told a large crowd

of union members he would oppose a

resolution supporting Rauner’s Turn-

around agenda. �e council eventually

tabled the resolution. �e next day, the

McHenry County Board voted to ap-

prove the resolution.

Other World Computing’s 196-foot electricity-producing windmill is its most visible landmark. The company recently an-nounced plans to add solar power to its campus on Galaxy Way near Highway 14. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

“The solar panels will supplement the power as we expand. We want to be a zero consumer of electricity.”

— Larry O’Connor Sr., Other World Computing

4 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTJune 17-23, 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

Current assistant promoted to Public Works directorJeff Van Landuyt will replace the outgoing Paul Ruscko


A former interim department head

has been promoted to director of Pub-

lic Works by the city of Woodstock.

Jeff Van Landuyt, the city’s assistant

Public Works director, will serve as the

new Public Works director following

the departure of current department

head Paul Ruscko, who has taken a job

as a consultant at HR Green Inc.

Van Landuyt filled in as interim Pub-

lic Works director following the 2012

retirement of former director John

Isbell. At that time, City Manager Ros-

coe Stelford said, Van Landuyt did not

want to be considered for the perma-

nent director position, but he changed

his mind when the job opened up again

several weeks ago.

“I feel very strongly about Jeff’s qual-

ifications and what a great job he’s done

for the city,” Stelford said. “… I also feel

very strongly about going through a

process to pick the best candidate, but

it seems like the perfect fit for the city

of Woodstock.”

Ruscko, whose last day with the city

will be in late June, began working for

Woodstock in August 2013. Previously,

he was Public Works director for the

village of Lakewood.

Ruscko told city officials he would

be taking a new job several weeks ago,

Stelford said.

Ruscko is the second high-level em-

ployee to leave City Hall in about a

month. In mid-May, former Economic

Development director Cort Carlson re-

signed and took a position at the Aurora

Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Stelford said the impact from the lat-

est departure will be “minimal.”

“Jeff’s going to have to take up that

mantle … but he’s got a very strong

team,” Stelford said.

�e city will fill Van Landuyt’s current

position as assistant Public Works di-

rector.

As the head of the Public Works De-

partment, Van Landuyt will oversee six

divisions: administration, streets and

fleet, parks and facilities, water treat-

ment, wastewater treatment, and water

and sewer maintenance. �e depart-

ment, which has a yearly budget of $5.3

million, has 55 employees.

Van Landuyt began his career in the

city’s wastewater treatment division in

1981, according to a press release from

the city of Woodstock. Subsequently,

he worked in Lake Zurich and Bar-

rington before returning to Woodstock

to serve as wastewater treatment su-

perintendent in 1998.

He was promoted to assistant Public

Works director in 2005.

Farm Continued from Page 1

received the Centennial Farm designation

from the Illinois Department of Agricul-

ture, making their Vermont Road home

the 31st farm in McHenry County to earn

the status. �e IDA program honors gen-

erations of farmers who have worked to

maintain their family farms over a 100-

year span. A sign marking the Petersons’

honor now stands in the front yard.

“I’m the history buff in the family,” said

Ron Peterson, who lives in the city of

Woodstock with his wife, Linda. “I have

put together a book about the farm’s

history and have done a lot of research

about it.”

While digging through historical docu-

ments in the county’s archives, Peterson

learned his grandfather bought the land

from the Brass family, who operated a

horse farm on the land, breeding and

selling horses throughout the county.

Alfred Peterson and his wife had 10

children, nine of whom stayed in the

Woodstock area, Peterson said. Tragi-

cally, Alfred Peterson died during the

Great Depression, but the 10 children,

including Ron’s father, Chester, who was

only 10 when his

father passed,

continued to

keep the farm

running. In addi-

tion to planting

crops, the Peter-

sons raised hogs

and cattle over

the years. Like

most farmers,

they also housed

chickens.

�e family’s white four-bedroom,

two-story farmhouse is about 120

years old, Peterson estimates. He

managed to uncover old photo-

graphs and drawings of the house as

it looked more than a century ago.

�e barn, built in 1902, still stands

on the property, as do an old chicken

house, built in the 1960s, and a large

hog house, built in 1942.

�rough his research and by con-

tacting relatives, Peterson’s book in-

cludes several black and white pho-

tographs of happy events that took

place at the farm. �ere were several

weddings – including a double wed-

ding for two siblings – held on the

property. As expected, the farm was a

gathering spot for many family get-

togethers, as well.

�e book contains pictures of Pe-

terson’s grandfather and father,

aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Peterson plans to share the book at

this year’s McHenry County Fair.

Today, Peterson continues to grow

corn, beans and some wheat on about

half the property, with the help of his

brother, Byron Peterson, who also lives

in Woodstock. �e brothers lease out

half of the acreage to another farmer.

“We hope to hold onto it as long as

we can,” Peterson said. “It’s hard. To-

day’s farmer has to have 2,000 to 3,000

acres to really make a living because

the expenses of running a farm are so

great.”

Peterson’s mother, June, 87, contin-

ues to live in the farmhouse along with

his younger brother, Duane. More than 9,200 Illinois farmers

have earned Centennial Farm recogni-

tion since the program started in 1972.

Woodstock resident Ron Peterson stands by the Illinois Department of Agricul-ture sign awarding Centennial Farm status to the Peterson family farm at 2903 Vermont Road, Woodstock. COURTESY PHOTO

» CITY OF WOODSTOCK

“I’m the history buff in the family.”

— Ron Peterson,Woodstock

5June 17-23, 2015THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTNEWS

CORRECTION

The Woodstock Police Department has issued a retraction to a police report published in the June 10 issue of The Woodstock Independent.

According to the WPD, Patrick D. Mertz, 32, transient, Woodstock, was

arrested for criminal trespass to a mo-tor vehicle, resisting a police officer and driving while license suspended. Previ-ously, the WPD stated Denver McGee of Woodstock had been arrested. McGee is not facing charges.

OBITUARIES

Horst E. AbtHorst E. Abt, 86, Woodstock, died

Monday, June 8, 2015, surrounded by his family and friends.

He was born April 11, 1929, to Karl and Anna Abt in Rodefeld, Ostprenben, Germany.

He came to America in 1951 to live the American dream. He was a survivor of World War II.

In 1952 he met Wally Klumbies, and they married Dec. 17, 1955.

In his earlier years he worked as a car-penter and homebuilder. He took pride in building and providing a house with his own hands for his family and friends to

gather. He and his wife loved traveling, especially to Florida for the winter where they would visit with relatives, go camp-ing and fishing, and escape the cold.

He and his wife were avid dancers, and they always drew a crowd whenever they danced.

He enjoyed watching the Bears, old Westerns and telling stories of days gone by, of his youth and good times.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Ron-ald (Maria) Abt; a daughter, Carmen Rhodes; and four grandsons, Christopher Abt, U.S. Army veteran Zackery (Melissa) Rhodes, Bradon Abt and Tyler Abt.

The service was private. Donations can be made to a local ani-

mal shelter because the Abts were avid animal lovers.

Dennis M. BurrsDennis M. Burrs, 70, Woodstock, died

Friday, June 5, 2015, at Centegra Hospi-tal - Woodstock.

He was born March 2, 1945, to Law-rence and Bernice (Shaw) Burrs in Chi-cago.

On June 29, 1968, he married Diane Rintoul in Dixon.

He grew up in Dixon and joined the U.S.Navy, serving on the U.S.S. Orisknay. He enjoyed going to many conventions

with other veterans. He was a member of the Woodstock VFW for more than 15 years.

He worked for Lake Shore Distributors. He enjoyed trains, especially in Rochelle when the old trains went through. Playing cards and visiting with friends were also his favorite things to do.

Survivors include his wife and a sister, Laurel Burrs Erickson, Denver.

He was preceded in death by his par-ents.

A memorial service will be held at a later date. Memorials can be made in his name to a charity of the donor’s choice.

Arrangements were made by Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home.

POLICE BLOTTER

Andrew J. Frey, 25, 2124 Serenity Lane, Woodstock, was charged May 23 with reckless driving, uninisured motor ve-hicle, failure to carry/produce a driver’s license, and speeding 35 and over at 1150 McConnell Road. Frey posted $200 bond. Court date was set for July 9.

Salvador Arreola, 47, 526 Birch St., Woodstock, was charged May 25 with aggravated driving while license revoked and uninsured motor vehicle at 1000 block of North Seminary Avenue. Arreola was turned over to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. Bond and court date are to be set.

Jorge L. Carreno, 44, 1216 Tappan St., Woodstock, was charged May 26 with driving under the influence, improper lane usage and uninsured motor vehicle at 315 N. Madison St. Carreno posted $100 and his driver’s license as bond.

Court date was set for June 18. Michael David Yates, transient, was

charged with retail theft at 1275 Lake Ave. Yates was turned over to the McHen-ry County Sheriff’s Office. Bond and court date are to be set.

Branden Lynn Williams, 36, tran-sient, was arrested May 27 at 2200 Lake Ave. on an outstanding warrant from Kane County for failure to appear and on bur-glary and felony retail theft charges. Wil-liams was turned over to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was to be set. Court date was set for May 28.

Crystal L. Foster, 30, 3214 Pleasant View Drive, McHenry, was charged May 27 with burglary and felony retail theft at 2200 Lake Ave. Foster was turned over to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. Bond and court date are to be set.

Joshua M. Rich, 32, 1219 Florist

Drive, Rockford, was charged May 27 with two counts of unlawful possession of a con-trolled substance and unlawful acquisition of a controlled substance at 920 N. Seminary Ave. Rich was turned over to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. Bond and court date are to be set.

Gerald W. Powell, 29, 4401 W. Shamrock, McHenry, was arrested June 1 at 1050 Country Club Road on an outstanding warrant from Burnham for failure to apear on a traffic violation, and also charged with driving while license suspended and improp-er lane usage. Powell posted $450 bond. Court date was set for July 10.

Matthew James Rogers, 31, 2719 Red

Barn Road, Crystal Lake, was charged June 5 with battery and resisting a police officer at 100 Main St. Rogers was turned over to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $1,500. Court date was set for June 6.

Juan C. Castillo, 27, 798 Prairie View Lane, Woodstock, was charged June 7 with possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, resisting a police officer and un-lawful possession of a controlled substance at 155 S. Eastwood Drive. Bond and court date are to be set.

Any charges are merely accusations, and de-fendants or suspects are presumed innocent un-less proven guilty.

STREET SMARTS

Average gas price

$3.18 /GAL.

Reflects average price of regular unleaded gasoline at Woodstock gas stations the morning of June 15.

.10

June’s traffic enforcement initiative will target distracted-driving violations. Woodstock Police Officers will conduct highly visible and increased enforcement regarding distracted drivers who are talk-ing on hand-held cellphones or otherwise using a hand-held electronic communica-tion device. The primary goal is to reduce the incidence of motor vehicle crashes that result from these violations.

For information, call Sgt. Rob Pritchard at 815-338-2131.

YOURADVERTISEMENTCOULD BEHERE

Call 815-338-8040

6 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTJune 17-23, 2015

OpinionCHERYL WORMLEYPublisher, Co-OwnerPAUL WORMLEY

Co-OwnerKATELYN STANEKManaging Editor

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Woodstock, IL 1987

THE EDITORIAL BOARDCheryl Wormley Katelyn Stanek Sandy KucharskiStephanie Price

Hats off to a daredevil with

a dreamWalter “Wally” �omas is the most

celebrated man in Woodstock. As well he should be.Wally dared to dream of a different

world — a world in which it’s possible, even laudable, for a 91-year-old man to strap on a helmet and, with com-plete clarity of thought and intention, drive a car through a garage door just to see what would happen. (It splin-tered but did not, as Wally hypoth-esized, take the garage door hardware with it.)

Wally’s May 31 exploits have been well-documented here and in media sources the world over. �at’s not an exaggeration. For days after video of his stunt first surfaced, the �oma-ses were inundated with calls from reporters and TV producers who wanted to know just what made Wally tick. Our office received a never-ending stream of emails and phone calls from reporters everywhere — the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, WNBC, Readers Digest Canada (Ca-nadians love a good Wally anecdote) and so on — looking for tips as to how they could track down this small-time Evel Knievel. �e story even made the Washington Post, People Magazine, “CBS Sunday Morning” and “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” via video feed.

�e only thing sillier than Wally �omas’ simple bucket-list dream was the subsequent public frenzy over his stunt. And that’s awesome.

�ere’s a reason so many people have fallen in love with Wally’s Great Crash over these past few weeks. It’s because it’s fun, harmless (he had permission to take down the garage, after all) and just a bit rebellious. It flies in the face of assumptions people have about senior citizens. And it makes for a great laugh. It’s as simple as that.

So thank you, Wally, for sharing your dream — no matter how small — with the rest of the world. Your spirit of daring and curiosity — no matter how slight — is something we should all embrace.

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

» OUR VIEW

» YOUR VIEW

Thanks for a great cultural exchange

Northwest Student Exchange would like to thank the staff at Woodstock High School, the lo-cal community, and host parents Renatka and Mark for providing Milena from Germany a great cul-tural exchange experience for her 2014-15 academic year program.

We look forward to offering Woodstock and surrounding com-munity parents the opportunity to learn more about outbound cultural exchange programs and the opportunity to gain a new daughter or son from one of 20 countries.

Marge Ryan, Northwest Student Exchange

Support referendum for township consolidation

I am Steven Koerber, a third generation resident of McHenry Township, and I am announcing my intention to be a candidate for election in April 2017 as highway commissioner of the McHenry Township Road District.

Currently, I do not have an opin-ion whether or not to have our townships consolidated. It is hard to have an opinion without know-ing what consolidations will look like and how much, if any, they will save until there is a factual airing of the pros and cons.

For this reason, I support the initiative to have a binding refer-endum regarding such consolida-tions on the ballot next year. By that ballot question being there, a healthy and vigorous discus-sion of the advantages and dis-advantages from the different factions can take place, either for or against. �en we, with the as-sistance of the media and knowl-edge of the facts, can exercise our democratic right to decide what is best.

I’m new to the political arena except as a regular voter. I look forward to learning about this issue and trying to get others to support the correct direction once I know the real details and figure it out myself.

I hope to be of service to the citizens of McHenry County by being informed and helping lead a discussion and eventually getting elected in 2017.

Steven L. Koerber,McHenry

Bowling alley deserves praise for supporting Best Buddies

On behalf of the Creekside Middle School Best Buddies pro-gram, we would like to recognize Woodstock’s Kingston Lanes and publicly give that business a big thank you!

On Wednesday, May 20, more than 120 students and adults participated in our final buddy event of the year by celebrating with bowling and pizza. Jake Arndt and his crew provided a well-organized, affordable, safe and friendly environment for every-one. All we had to do was show up! In addition, Kingston Lanes has supported other community trips throughout the year for the Life Skills and TARGET programs in Woodstock School District 200.

It is such a pleasure to know that our students have safe and accommodating establishments like Kingston Lanes right here in our community. �ank you, Jake!

Katherine Mitchell, Julie Stone and Joan Thomas,

Creekside Middle School Best Buddies

QUOTABLE

“Honest good humor is the oil and wine of a merry meeting, and there is no jovial companionship equal to that where the jokes are rather small and laughter abundant.”

— Washington Irving

7June 17-23, 2015THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTOPINION

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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].

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Jason Reinhardt GRAPHIC [email protected]

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

Columnists John Daab, Paul Lockwood, Lisa Haderlein, Dan Chamness, Debbie Skozek, Tony Casalino, Erich Thurow

Editorial Cartoonist Jim Pearson

Photographers Michelle Krenger, Ken Farver, Alisa Ellegood

Proofreader Don Humbertson

Reporters Tricia Carzoli, Elizabeth Harmon, Megan Ivers, Jay Schulz

Administration Rebecca McDaniel

s ta f f dead l ines contact

» COLUMN

�e Woodstock Independent staff did it again. �e editorial/news team won the top honor for newspapers our size in the Illinois Press Association’s Best of the Press contest. �is year marks the fifth consecutive year �e Inde-pendent has won the David B. Kramer Memorial Sweepstakes Trophy and the 14th time in the paper’s 28-year history.

Don Peasley, a legend in public rela-tions and promotion in Woodstock, of-ten chided me for not running a front-page story with a big headline when the staff took top honors in competi-tions with our peers in the newspaper industry. “You need to let your readers know they’re reading one of the best weekly newspapers in the state,” Don would say. “It’s your story to break. No one else is going to write about it.” So, Don, here it is in print – not on the front page – but in my column.

�e editorial staff had 25 winning entries – two firsts, nine seconds, 10 thirds and four honorable mentions. I’ll set the scene: the winning entries were announced at the awards lun-cheon in a banquet room in a Marriott Hotel in Normal. �e luncheon was the culmination of the 150th anniversary convention of the IPA June 10 to 12.

Newspapers compete in divisions

based on size. We compete in Division A – small weeklies. With each plac-ing, a newspaper earns points – most points for a first, fewer for second, etc. �e sweep-stakes trophy is awarded to the pa-per in each division that accumulates the most points.

I sensed a tight race for the trophy in Division A. Several times, the Forest Park Review took first in a class when we were second. Berwyn Suburban Life and Pinckneyville Press were winning, too.

I wasn’t the only one caught up in the competition. Ken and Julie Farver were there for �e Independent, too. Ken turned to me more than once and said, “How does it look?”

�e Independent staff and I don’t do what we do to win a sweepstakes tro-phy. Our motivation is providing the news and information the people of Woodstock want and need in the best manner possible. But winning the tro-phy in a competition judged by peers in the industry is added affirmation.

About three-quarters of the way through the awards announcements, I tallied our placings. We were light on firsts and heavy with seconds and thirds. I wondered if that would be enough.

�e last class announced was Gen-eral Excellence: Woodstock Independent second, Forest Park Review first. �e announcement of the sweepstakes winners was next, starting with fourth place. We weren’t fourth or third. “Sec-ond place: Forest Park Review.” �e Independent won again. Ken, Julie and I were jubilant. A text message delivered news of the win to the staff working back in our Woodstock office.

Everyone who works on �e Inde-pendent each week played a part in winning the awards. Yet, some of the entries were the work of individual staff members. Katelyn Stanek, edi-tor, took the two first-place awards: Single-Page Design and Business/Economic Reporting. �e design award was for a feature about Jeff and Jennifer Siegel, who train sled dogs. Her other winner documented busi-ness owners’ reaction to the proposed widening of Route 47. She also took seconds and thirds in news and edito-rial writing classes – the heart and soul of �e Independent. In all, Katelyn had

10 award-winners.Ken scored on his photos, winning a

second, three thirds and an honorable mention in three classes with photos of a St. Baldrick’s event, a basketball team, sled dogs and sunflowers.

Sandy Kucharski, associate editor, won thirds in feature and headline writing. For the feature, she wrote about a man who stopped in Wood-stock during his ride across the coun-try on a horse.

Two former employees, Leland Hum-bertson and Mike Neumann, teamed up to write the “Up All Night” Torch that won second in Special Section. Also, two of our independent contrac-tors won awards – Jason Learman on a sports feature and Alex Vucha on a fire photo.

�ere was an advertising competition in conjunction with the convention, too, and �e Independent’s graphic designer Jason Reinhardt won second place for Best Annual Special Section, Division G.

Congratulations to the staff. Hard work and dedication has paid off again. �ank you, Woodstock, for your continued support. We do this for you, our community.

It’s a five-peat for The Independent

Cheryl Wormley is publisher of The Wood-stock Independent.

Declarations

CherylWormley

» COLUMN

End the political game of

ghost-payrollingWay back in 1973, then-Gov. Dan

Walker hired a young Georgetown University graduate and others for his staff but paid them with money from state agencies rather than from the governor’s office.

�e practice ruffled some feathers, as well it should. Folks in Springfield started calling them “ghost payrollers.”

After all, it appeared Walker was try-ing to make it look like he was spend-ing less money to run his office than he really was.

Despite the outcry, the practice con-

tinued and not just for the four years Walker was gover-nor.

Republican and Democratic gover-nors have emulated Walker’s method of artificially deflat-ing their budgets by pushing some of their expenses off on state agencies.

While it is per-fectly legal, it’s a lousy practice. Government needs to be transparent about how it spends money, and this practice isn’t the least bit transparent.

It wasn’t a good idea when Walker did it. It wasn’t a good idea when Rod Blagojevich did it. It wasn’t a good idea when Pat Quinn did it.

And it most certainly isn’t a good idea now that Gov. Bruce Rauner is doing it.

House Democrats vented mock outrage June 4 about Beth Purvis, who is Gov. Bruce Rauner’s top education

adviser. She earns $250,000 and is paid from the Department of Human Services, which is the state’s top wel-fare agency.

�at is an awful lot of money.Considering that at least 20 local

school superintendents across Il-linois are earning more than Purvis, it doesn’t seem particularly out of line for what the top education policy adviser to the governor ought to be making. But some Democratic law-makers have found religion when it comes to the evils of ghost payrolling — at least when a Republican gover-nor is doing it.

It’s odd we never heard a peep from them when Pat Quinn had at least five of his staffers drawing salaries from the Department of Human Services.

Of course, that’s beside the point. It’s a political game plain and simple.

�e cost to the taxpayers is exactly the same whether the money is drawn from a fund for the governor’s office or some executive agency.

�e reason this is a bad practice is that government needs to be transpar-ent. And it’s hard to know just how

much taxpayer money is being spent to operate the governor’s office when money is siphoned from various agen-cies.

Purvis is a victim. But not a victim of sexism as some Republicans claim. She is a casualty of the ongoing war between House Speaker Michael Ma-digan and Gov. Bruce Rauner.

She got caught in the crossfire. But she should recover from her

political wounds.After all, other “ghost payrollers”

have. Look no further than that young

Georgetown graduate Gov. Walker hired.

His name?Patrick J. Quinn, the 41st governor of

Illinois.

Scott Reeder is a veteran statehouse re-porter and a journalist with Illinois News Network, a project of the Illinois Policy Institute. He can be reached at [email protected]. Readers can subscribe to his free political newsletter by going to www.ilnews.org or follow his work on Twit-ter at @scottreeder.

Reeder Report

ScottReeder


EducationPrivate school moving into former SEDOM CenterFor-profit School of Expressive Arts and Learning will take over building


A private therapeutic school is moving into the SEDOM Education Center facil-ity at 1200 Claussen Drive.

�e School of Expressive Arts and Learning already has begun moving into the building that’s been home to the Special Education District of McHenry County since 1972. SEAL, which has schools in Lombard and Romeoville, jumped at the opportunity to lease the SEDOM facility.

Up until now, SEAL had a school loca-tion on Corporate Parkway in Algonquin, but the space was small and didn’t offer basic school amenities such as a gymna-sium and other recreational areas, said SEAL co-owner Karen Larson.

“We weren’t able to provide some of the services we wanted to at the Algon-quin location,” Larson said, adding that SEDOM Superintendent Kathy Wilhoit reached out to SEAL about taking over the site.

“�e opportunity for us to move was really good timing. I guess things hap-pen for a reason. Our other facilities (in Lombard and Romeoville) are very large

school buildings. Our goal was to pro-vide therapeutic modality along with art, music and recreational therapy.”

Larson estimates the SEDOM building is about nine times the size of the Algon-quin location, where SEAL served nine students. SEAL started moving some of its operations into the SEDOM building in April and began getting acquainted with the 13 SEDOM students who will likely stay at the school under SEAL’s management. SEAL currently serves 18 students, including the nine who moved over from Algonquin, at the new Wood-stock facility.

“Our goal is to serve between 100 to 130 students at the Woodstock site,” Lar-son said. “Coming over in April has really helped with our transition. We’ve been working cooperatively with SEDOM and getting to know the students and their needs. Our goal is to transition the chil-dren who won’t age out at the school.”

SEAL provides a kindergarten-to-12th grade curriculum and currently has more

The School of Expressive Arts and Learning has begun moving into the SEDOM Educa-tion Center at 1200 Claussen Road. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY STEPHANIE PRICE

than 300 students among its three loca-tions, Larson said. In addition to classes in English, math, science, reading and physical education, and the standard cur-riculum, SEAL offers a therapy approach, called Expressive �erapy, that aims to provide opportunities for students’ emo-tional, personal and social growth.

“Our Expressive �erapy is what we’ve incorporated into our program,” Larson said. “It’s what we’ve envisioned to help facilitate successful life experiences for the student population.”

�e private, for-profit therapeutic day school gets most of its students through placements from public schools, when the schools don’t have the resources to meet the students’ needs.

Larson said SEAL has hired five SE-DOM staffers and intends to retain some staffers through the upcoming school year in order to provide a smooth transi-tion for the students. Eventually, Larson hopes SEAL will employ 40 to 50 teach-ers and support staff at its Woodstock location.

COLLEGE CURRENTS

Singer named to Carthage College dean’s list

Sarah Singer, Wonder Lake, was named to the dean’s list at Carthage College, Kenosha, Wis.

Marquette announces dean’s listMarina Besserud, Wonder Lake, and

Jennifer Bartlett, Martin Chakkalamuri, Jessica Doyle, Madison Fant, Nathaniel Hams and Wyatt Meyer, all of Woodstock, were named to the dean’s list at Marquette University, Milwaukee.

“We’ve been working cooperatively with SEDOM and getting to know the students and their needs.”

— Karen Larson, SEAL co-owner


By SANDY KUCHARSKIThe Independent

As the curtains closed June 13 on Judith

Svalander Dance �eatre’s production of

“Etalage,” a new door opened for one of

the graduating dancers. Madeline Nichols,

Woodstock, ended 11 years of training –

most of them with the Crystal Lake-based

dance studio – to embark on her profes-

sional career as a classical ballet dancer.

“�is is completely a dream come true,”

said Nichols, who landed a job with the

City Ballet of San Diego.

Nichols graduated from Marian Central

Catholic High School May 29. While many

of her friends are preparing to attend col-

lege, she will begin her career. Immediate-

ly following the performance at the Opera

House, she planned to leave for Colorado,

where she will dance for six weeks with

the Denver Ballet before heading to San

Diego in the fall.

“It’s kind of nerve-wracking and scary,

but if I didn’t think I was ready, I wouldn’t

be doing it,” she said. “I wanted to be a

dancer really bad, and I realized that life

without ballet wouldn’t be a life.”

Dance instructor Judith Svalander ex-

plained that a dancer’s career is not a long

career, and students often seek perfor-

mance opportunities directly out of high

school and plan to continue their academ-

ic education during and after their ballet

careers. “If you have the opportunity, you

don’t want to turn it down,” Svalander

said.

Nichols is one of more than 40 students

over more than 40 years that Svalander

has seen move on from her school of bal-

let to a professional dance career. Dancers

have joined dance companies in Europe

and across the U.S.

She said, “At one time they wouldn’t hire

you if you were from smaller places like

[Crystal Lake]. But now, the world is so

small.”

Along with meticulous attention to

dancing skills, Svalander teaches her stu-

dents how to audition and how to write

resumes, aiding in job searches and secur-

ing scholarships. She also offers a teacher

training program, mentoring students

who have the potential to be a good teach-

er. Nichols was involved in this program,

“She has a gift,” Svalander said of Nich-

ols, “and her gift will carry her far in [the

teaching] field.”

Woodstock ballerina makes a big leap to West Coast

Judith Svalander Dance student Madeline Nichols dances on the Opera House stage. COURTESY PHOTO

A Woodstock School District 200 Art Camp student listens to comic book artist Bill Reinhold June 10, as he shared tips of the artist trade during the camp’s 2-D drawing and painting class. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

A & E

Superhero artist draws on experience By STEPHANIE PRICE

The Independent

Artist and comic book illustrator Bill

Reinhold makes a point of visiting area

schools to talk to and hopefully inspire

young artists.

Reinhold, who works from his Crys-

tal Lake home studio, recently drew

illustrations for the Green Lantern

comic book, but also has drawn oth-

er Marvel and DC Comics characters

such as Batman, the Silver Surfer, The

Punisher and more.

Last week, Reinhold stopped by

Woodstock School District 200 Art

Camp at Woodstock High School to

share some drawing pointers and talk

about his craft.

“I go out and give these talks on and

off,” said Reinhold. “I’ve been doing

(comic book illustrations) profession-

ally since 1981. I think it’s nice for kids

to have someone who has a job as an

artist come speak to them. I wish I had

someone do that when I was in school.”

Reinhold shared tips of his trade

with fifth-to-eighth-grade students

during the 2-D drawing and painting

class. He explained the elements of a

horizon line, light sources, shadows

and shading. He first demonstrated by

a drawing a mad scientist character,

with students suggesting details for

the drawing. From there, he moved on

and demonstrated his skills by draw-

ing Batman.

“Getting the shape down first is

what’s important,” Reinhold told the

approximately 26 students who were

attending the districtwide art camp,

which attracted a record number of

participants this year.

The students had the opportunity to

draw their own pictures, incorporat-

ing some of Reinhold’s suggestions. At

the end of the class, many of the young

artists took the time to look over sam-

ples of the illustrator’s work and re-

quest autographs. For Reinhold, meet-

ing with the children is as much

about providing inspiration as it is

about promoting the comic-book

medium.

“I like educating kids about art

and storytelling,” Reinhold said.

“That’s what comics are – another

medium for storytelling.”

The District 200 Art Camp is in

its fifth year, and this year’s pro-

gram has 75 participants in second

through eighth grades, said Sandra

Brainard, a graphic arts teacher at

Woodstock High School. It is the

largest group of students in the art

camp’s history.

“We filled up two or three weeks

before the art camp started,” Brain-

ard said. “Unfortunately, we had to

turn about 25 kids away.”

Brainard coordinates the one-

week summer camp program with

WHS Art Department Director Dave

Bliss, graphic arts teacher Dustin

Smith and teacher Elon Shaffer.

Although Shaffer teaches English

during the regular school year, he

is also a graduate of WHS and was

very involved in the arts during his

time at the school, Brainard said.

“Elon Shaffer is in charge of the

school’s Cartoon Club, and he

knows several professionals and

designers,” Brainard said. “Elon

knows Bill and invited him to speak

to our students.”

The art camp provides instruc-

tion in 2-D art, 3-D art and comput-

er art. Brainard said having guest

speakers like Reinhold provides

real-world inspiration to the stu-

dents.

“Bill designed our art camp T-

shirt,” Brainard said. “It’s pretty

awesome when you get to meet the

actual designer.”

Comic book artist Bill Reinhold, Crystal Lake, shared his drawings of super-heroes with students attending art camp. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Comic book artist shares tips, inspiration with District 200 Art Camp students

10 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTJune 17-23, 2015 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Street music festival returns to Benton June 20Woodstock Musicfest is a collaboration between bars and restaurants


Several Woodstock businesses are preparing for their biggest street festi-val of the year.

Benton Street Fests will host the sixth annual Woodstock Musicfest from noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 20, on Benton Street, just off the Wood-

stock Square. �e event is a collabora-tion between local restaurant and bar establishments D.C. Cobb’s, �e Cab-in, Benton Street Tap and Main Street PourHouse. �e group also hosts two other music fests throughout the year including Shamrocked Streetfest and Octoberfest.

“We usually get about 2,000 people attending this festival,” said organizer Dan Hart, owner of D.C. Cobb’s. “�is is definitely our biggest festival of the three. �is one has the biggest stage and the biggest sound system.”

Musicfest will feature four bands: the Ian Hall Band at 2 p.m., Jimmy Nick and Don’t Tell Mamma at 4 p.m., Super-

crush at 6 p.m. and Too White Crew at 8 p.m. Entertainment will include a bags tournament starting at 1 p.m. offering a $500 prize payout. In addition to food sold at the establishments, local res-taurants such as Porkies, Munch, Ro-sati’s and Offsides will be on location

and cooking up a variety of food.�ere is no admission fee for the fes-

tival, but all attendees must be at least 21 years old. Organizers will sell plas-tic beer cups that will allow patrons to move in and out of the various partici-pating businesses, Hart said.

Festival organizers will sell wrist-bands and ask for donations to raise money for the Salvation Army of McHenry County. Hart said he hopes the event lures business for neighbor-ing merchants on the Square.

“�is is an event that we put on to draw more people to Woodstock and benefit Woodstock merchants and all the establishments,” Hart said.

WOODSTOCK MUSICFEST

When: Noon to 11 p.m. Saturday, June 20Where: Benton StreetAdmission: Free, but attendees must be at least 21 years old

THIS WON’T HURT A BIT

Sword-swallower Brent Allan, Round Lake Beach, performs on the Woodstock Square June 12. The event was part of the first-ever Second Friday Artwalk, a monthly event featuring visual and performing artists. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

WOODSTOCK SCULPTOR’S ‘HAIRDO’ HITS SQUARE

“Hairdo,” a welded-steel sculpture, sits outside the Old Courthouse on Johnson Street shortly after being assembled by artist Bobby Joe Scribner. Scribner, a Woodstock artist, originally built the sculpture for a show at Navy Pier in Chicago. “Hairdo” is part of the Summer Solstice Art Exhibition, an art show at the Old Courthouse Arts Center that runs in June. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

YOUR AD HERE!

INDEPENDENTTheWoodstock Call (815) 338-8040

thewoodstockindependent.com

11June 17-23, 2015THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WOODSTOCK’S ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTSThe Entertainer

» MUSICLAURA INGALLS WILDER IN SONGJune 17, 7 p.m. Woodstock Public Library414 Judd St.815-338-0542woodstockpubliclibrary.orgFreeLaura F. Keyes will perform as Laura In-galls Wilder and share songs from the prairie.

CITY BAND CONCERTJune 17, 24, July 1, 7:30 p.m.Woodstock SquareThe Woodstock City Band will play in its 131st summer concert series with weekly themes. June 17: “It’s Natural.” Ice cream social: District 200 Education FoundationJune 24: “Timing is Everything.” Ice cream social: McHenry County Farm Bu-reauJuly 1: “Salute to America.” Ice cream social: Groundhog Day Committee

LIVE MUSIC AT EXPRESSLY LESLIE’SJune 19, 26, July 3, 10, 6 p.m.Woodstock Square Mall110 Johnson St.FreeJune 19: Al Fyfe and the Rocketeers will perform.June 26: Jim Green will perform. July 3: Guyz with Bad Eyez will perform.July 10: Jay Einhorn will perform.

JAZZ JAMJune 19, July 3, 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.

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKETJune 20, 23, 27, 30, July 4, 7, 9 a.m. to noonWoodstock SquareFreewoodstockfarmersmarket.org.Performers include: June 20 – Guyz with Bad Eyez at 9 a.m., Julie Gibson at 10 a.m., Mary Lai at 11 a.m.; June 23 – Judson and Judy Brown at 9 a.m.; June 27 – The Beaumonts at 9 a.m., Big Fish at 10:30 a.m.; June 30 – Courtney Amanda at 9 a.m., Larry Lebbing at 10 a.m., Tricia Alexander at 11 a.m.; July 4 – Guyz with Bad Eyez at 9 a.m., Dan Zahn and Kate Moretti at 10:30 a.m.; July 7 – Pete Jonsson at 9 a.m., Rich Prezioso at 10 a.m., Sue Fink at 11 a.m.

WOODSTOCK MUSICFESTJune 20, noon to 11 p.m.

Benton Streetbentonstreetfests.comFood and live music on Benton Street including: The Ian Hall Band at 2 p.m., Jimmy Nick & Don’t Tell Mama at 4 p.m., Supercrush at 6 p.m., and Too White Crew at 8 p.m.

ELVIS & ORBISON: THE VOICES OF ROCKJune 20, 8 p.m.Woodstock Opera House121 Van Buren St.815-338-5300woodstockoperahouse.com$38The Legendaires LLC will present a tribute to Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison.

STAGE LEFTOVERSJune 24, July 8, 7:30 p.m.Stage Left Café125 Van Buren St. FreeThe Stage Leftovers, consisting of Rich Prezioso, Joe Pesz, Brian Murphy, Laurel Palma, Pete Jonsson and Les Urban, will perform.

OPEN MIC NIGHTJune 26, July 10, 7 p.m.Stage Left Café125 Van Buren St. $3 donationoffsquaremusic.orgOpen Mic is sponsored by Off Square Music. Various artists will perform in 15-minute slots.

» DANCE‘RETURN TO THE CABARET’July 11, 7 p.m.Woodstock Opera House121 Van Buren St.$23 adults, $20 students815-338-5300woodstockoperahouse.comThe High Performance Dance Theatre will present talented dancers and singers performing cabaret-style jazz acts.

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

‘JURASSIC WORLD’ 2-D AND 3-DTwenty-two years after the events of Ju-rassic Park, Isla Nublar features a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, but a new attraction backfires horribly. “Jur-asic World” is directed by Colin Trevor-row (“Home Base”) and stars Chris Pratt (“Guardians of the Galaxy”) and Bryce

Dallas Howard (“Spider-Man 3”).RATED PG-13, 124 MINUTES

‘SPY’A desk-bound CIA analyst volunteers to go undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer and prevent diabolical global disaster. Directed by Paul Feig (“The Heat”), “Spy” stars Jude Law (“Gattaca”) and Melissa McCarthy (“Gilmore Girls”).RATED R, 120 MINUTES

‘INSIDIOUS: CHAPTER 3’This prequel is set before the haunting of the Lambert family and reveals how gifted psychic Elise Rainier reluctantly agrees to use her ability to contact the dead in order to help a teenage girl who has been targeted by a dangerous su-pernatural entity. “Insidious: Chapter 3” is directed by Leigh Whannell (“Saw”) and stars Dermot Mulroney (“The Fam-ily Stone”) and Stefanie Scott (“Wreck-It Ralph”).RATED PG-13, 97 MINUTES

‘SAN ANDREAS’In the aftermath of a massive earth-quake in Cali-fornia, a rescue-chopper pilot makes a danger-ous journey across the state in order to rescue his es-tranged daughter. “San Andreas” is directed by Brad Peyton (“Journey 2:

The Mysterious Island”) and stars Dwayne Johnson (“The Mummy Returns”) and Carla Guigino (“Race to Witch Mountain”).RATED PG-13, 114 MINUTES

‘INSIDE OUT’ 2-D AND 3-DAfter young Riley is uprooted from her Mid-west life and moved to San Francisco, her emotions – joy, fear, anger, disgust and sad-ness – conflict on how best to navigate a new city, house and school. “Inside Out” is directed by Peter Docter (“Monster, Inc.”) and Ronaldo Del Carmen (“Ratatouille”) and stars the voices of Amy Poehler (“Sat-urday Night Live”) and Bill Hader (“Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs”).RATED PG, 94 MINUTES


MarketplaceCity to ask Square businesses about smokingSurvey will inquire about possible ban in some parts of downtown area


�e city of Woodstock will ask some

local business owners for their opin-

ions on a possible smoking ban in

much of the Woodstock Square.

�e survey will ask people who own

businesses located on the Square if

they would approve of or oppose a

complete smoking ban near their shops

or restaurants.

�e results of the survey, which

also will target people who live on the

Square, will be presented to the Wood-

stock City Council, City Manager Ros-

coe Stelford said. �e survey currently

is being developed, and no date has

been set for its distribution, he said.

Woodstock’s Michael Stanard pro-

posed the ban during public discus-

sion at a June 2 City Council meeting.

He said he isn’t a “zealot” about smok-

ing, but said he thinks an ordinance

prohibiting it could cut down on litter-

ing and prevent some loitering in the

downtown area.

He also suggested the ban exempt

part of Benton Street immediately

north of Cass Street, where most of the

Square’s bars are located.

“I’m not willing to make a federal case

out of it,” Stanard wrote in an email. “I

simply meant to suggest that the City

Council seriously consider the benefits

of passing a no-smoking ordinance.”

Illinois law prohibits smoking inside

public buildings and within 15 feet of

business entrances. Stanard pointed

to college campuses and other public

spaces where smoking is completely

prohibited as precedent for a wider

ban.

“�e time has come for Woodstock to

step into today’s world,” Stanard wrote.

�e survey comes at the request of

Mayor Brian Sager, who said he wanted

the input of business owners before

considering a Square smoking ban.

In the past, the council has mulled

the possibility of prohibiting smoking

on the Square as a way to combat lit-

tering, according to Stelford.

“It’s a tough one,” Stelford said. “I

wouldn’t say they’re 100 percent sup-

portive of [a ban]. �ey have concerns

about it.”

�e City Council has not set a date

to discuss the survey results and does

not have any formal plans to consider

a new smoking ordinance at this time,

Stelford said.

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Of-fice May 18 to June 1:

Residence at 664 N. Sharon Drive, Woodstock, was sold by the Nancy Kor-manak Trust No. 1, South Elgin, to Steve Aa-vang, Crystal Lake, for $105,000.

Residence at 7530 Marblehead Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by Russel Florine, Al-gonquin, to Robert Mauch, Wonder Lake, for $150,500.

Residence at 2808 Michael St., Won-der Lake, was sold by Intercounty Judicial Sales Corporation, Chicago, to Sandust LLC, Crystal Lake, for $43,043.

Residence at 2261 Sweetwater Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Centex Homes, Schaumburg, to Alexander and Tricia Church, Woodstock, for $194,500.

Residence at 2241 Sweetwater Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Centex Homes, Schaumburg, to Robert and Cindy Ridley, Woodstock, for $198,765.

Residence at 1255 Cobblestone Way, Woodstock, was sold by the Chicago Title Land Trust Company, Barrington, to Robert and Kristina Bowers, Woodstock, for $80,000.

Residence at 417 Highland Ave., Woodstock, was sold by Joyce Roberts, Poplar Grove, to Taylor Fry, Woodstock, for $95,500.

Residence at 420 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, was sold by Chad Lincicome, Las Vegas, Nev., to Joshua Shelander, Lake Zurich, for $166,000.

Residence at 746 Dona Court, Wood-stock, was sold by Wells Fargo Bank, Fort Mill, S.C., to 901 Wicker Series of the Bunz-ity LLC, Crystal Lake, for $67,500.

Residence at 2411 Walnut Drive, Won-der Lake, was sold by Bank National Asso-ciation, Depew, N.Y., to Christine McClure and Daniel Smits, McHenry, for $105,000.

Residence at 755 Lisa St., Woodstock, was sold by Diane King, Woodstock, to Jes-sica Russel, Woodstock, for $186,000.

Residence at 2813 Michael St., Won-

der Lake, was sold by Sandust LLC, Crystal Lake, to Omar and Amanda Castaneda, Wonder Lake, for $133,000.

Residence at 1063 Greenwood Circle, Woodstock, was sold by Albert Weberpal, Union, to Jose Cruz and Maria Ayala, Wood-stock, for $76,500.

Residence at 1011 Harrow Gate Drive, Woodstock, was sold by William Patton and Janice Petzke, North Fort Myers, Fla., to Rob-ert Bollmann, Woodstock, for $315,000.

Residence at 1652 Tappan St., Wood-stock, was sold by heirs of Elizabeth Davis, Wonder Lake, to Maribel Bernal and Jose Cruz, Woodstock, for $93,000.

Residence at 1974 Charles St., Wood-stock, was sold by Homero Alcaraz, Wood-stock, to Adriana Manriquez, Woodstock, for $65,000.

Residence at 724 Verdi St., Wood-stock, was sold by The Ryland Group Inc., East Dundee, to Thomas Richardson, Wood-stock, for $259,900.

Residence at 622 Handel Lane, Wood-stock, was sold by Timothy Lorenz, Round Lake Beach, to Jeffrey Thomm, Woodstock, for $232,000.

Residence at 1910 Julie St., Woodstock, was sold by Elena Margan, Woodstock, to Jose Tapia, Woodstock, for $47,300.

Residence at 2113 Timberline Trail, Woodstock, was sold by Trenton and Cassie Schock, West Dundee, to Raymond Pryor III, Woodstock, for $425,000.

Residence at 1627 Bull Valley Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Darlene Lang, Woodstock, to Lou and Pamela Gebler, Woodstock, for $415,000.

Residence at 815 Northhampton St., Woodstock, was sold by Leland Sage and Alyson Ritter, Smyrna, Tenn., to Brian and Erin Norwood, Woodstock, for $95,000.

Residence at 615 Blakely St., Wood-stock, was sold by MLP LLC, Woodstock, to Courtney Carrion, Woodstock, for $128,400.

Residence at 8918 Woody Trail, Won-

der Lake, was sold by the Judicial Sales Cor-poration, Chicago, to Senseless LLC, Wood-stock, for $29,751.

Residence at 14411 Sunset Ridge Road, Woodstock, was sold by Eric and The-resa Peterson, Woodstock, to Beverly Fields, Woodstock, for $300,000.

Residence at 3015 N. Queen Anne Road, Woodstock, was sold by Susan Cool-er, Lake Geneva, Wis., to Douglas Terry, Woodstock, for $151,250.

Residence at 712 E. Kimball Ave., Woodstock, was sold by Christopher Shulfer, Woodstock, to Tania Salas, Woodstock, for $118,000.

Residence at 612-614 St. John’s Road, Woodstock, was sold by Donald and Maria Wojtul, Des Plaines, to Nicholas Castagna, Cary, for $133,000.

Residence at 213 Westgate, Wood-stock, was sold by the Sam Boznos Living Trust, Hampshire, to Bradley and Kristi Prud-hom, Woodstock, for $334,500.

Residence at 2411 Bridgewater Drive, Woodstock, was sold by the Chicago Title Land Trust Company, Chicago, to Javier Romero, Woodstock, for $79,500.

Residence at 1345 Winslow Circle, Woodstock, was sold by Chad and Bekki Le-siewicz, Woodstock, to Adam and Stephanie Schaefer, Woodstock, for $261,000.

Residence at 3113 Edgewood Drive, Wonder Lake, was sold by Sabre Group LLC, Carbondale, to James and Melissa Denna, Park Ridge, for $26,415.

Residence at 8418 Memory Trail, Wonder Lake, was sold by the Federal Na-tional Mortgage Association, Dallas, to Charles and Donna Onley, Wonder Lake, for $95,000.

Residence at 4216 W. Lake Shore Drive, Wonder Lake, was sold by Carolyn Lut-gen, Romeoville, to Stephen and Linda Clark, Wonder Lake, for $145,000.

Residence at 520 E. Kimball Ave., Woodstock, was sold by William Yoder, Woodstock, to Shaun and Melinda Malo,

Woodstock, for $134,500. Residence at 277 Wild Meadow Lane,

Woodstock, was sold by Thomas Manning, Huntley, to Donald Metivier, Woodstock, for $109,000.

Residence at 9410 Creekside Drive, Won-der Lake, was sold by Kathleen Clark, Wood-stock, to Andrew and Telina Behrns, Wonder Lake, for $204,900.

Residence at 811 Bach Court, Woodstock, was sold by Rod and Amy Graf, Richmond, to Brian Vinson, Woodstock, for $235,000.

Residence at 918 Bunker St., Woodstock, was sold by Esther Wienke, Woodstock, to Decker Construction LLC, South Barrington, for $95,600.

Residence at 1293 Thomas Drive, Wood-stock, was sold by Darya Stepp, Wonder Lake, to Barton Shafer, Woodstock, for $96,000.

Residence at 1302 Boulder Court, Wood-stock, was sold by Robert and Sonya Crowley, Huntersville, N.C., to David and Penelop Car-son, Woodstock, for $224,000.

Residence at 541 Leah Lane, Unit 2A, Woodstock, was sold by U.S. Bank, N.A., Chi-cago, to Cecil and Donna Napier, Woodstock, for $55,000.

Residence at 8416 Elm St., 55.5 acres at 8303 Bull Valley Road, Woodstock, was sold by D. John and Marcia Goerner, Wood-stock, to John D. Goerner, Lake Barrington, for $300,000.

“I’m not willing to make a federal case out of it. I simply meant to suggest that the City Council seriously consider the

smoking ordinance.”— Michael Stanard, Woodstock


CommunityMarian Central hosts annual Honors Day Celebration

By JANET DOVIDIOThe Independent

Marian Central Catholic High School

hosted its annual Honors Day Celebra-

tion May 21. �e event recognizes the ac-

complishments of members of the class of

2015.

�is class earned $24,138,964 in schol-

arships. �e 182 graduates will attend

nearly 60 colleges and universities around

the country.

Valedictorian Hannah O’Hagan will at-

tend Creighton University and will study

chemistry with a pre-med track. Salutato-

rian Taylor Sledz plans to major in busi-

ness at the University of Illinois-Urbana/

Champaign. Nicholas Remke has accept-

ed a Coast Guard appointment.

�e awards are too numerous to men-

tion them all, but several deserve extra

recognition.

Five students had perfect attendance for

all four years of their high school careers:

Michael Chmiel Jr., Mitchell Fernandez,

Kevin O’Callaghan, Michael Peters and

Taylor Sledz.

Six memorial scholarships were award-

ed. Emma Baumert received the Sister

Mardelle Scholarship, named for a former

guidance director at Marian who retired in

2003 after 30 years in her position.

Nicholas Remke received the Donald

F. Penza Award, in memory of a former

social studies teacher and head football

coach in the 1980s whose football teams

competed in four state championships,

winning three of them.

Shea Pivnicka was awarded the Kay

Hansen Memorial Scholarship, in memo-

ry of a former Marian English teacher who

passed away in 2013 after a long battle

with cancer.

�e Jeremy Scholnick Spirit Scholar-

ship went to Kenzie Mocogni. �e Jona-

than Scholnick Spirit Scholarship was

awarded to Haley Neumann. Both of these

scholarships are given in memory of two

former Marian students who were killed

in an automobile accident in the fall of

1999.

�e Danielle and Kevin Trueblood

Scholarships went to Rachel Melchionna,

in memory of two former Marian students

who were killed in an automobile accident

in the fall of 2002.

“We are very proud of all of our students

in the class of 2015,” said Marian Guidance

Director Rebecca Reed.

Retiring Marian Superintendent �om-

as Landers added, “�e members of Mar-

ian’s class of 2015 have been a highly tal-

ented and friendly group of young men

and women. Many leaders emerged, par-

ticularly over the last two years, who con-

tributed to a very positive, familial atmo-

sphere within the class and the school as

a whole. �e class will be remembered as

intellectually talented, hardworking, high-

ly involved, joyful and very supportive of

one another.”

HIGHLIGHT

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

Woodstock North graduate Ross Kohler was commissioned into the U.S. Air Force last month and will begin pilot training in September. COURTESY PHOTO

Kohler takes off for pilot trainingWNHS graduate receives Air Force commission, hopes to fly fighters


Ross Kohler has dreamed of flying

fighter jets in the U.S. Air Force for as

long as he can remember. His moth-

er, Janis, said Ross wanted to fly air-

planes when he was only 4 years old.

Kohler has obtained his private pi-

lot’s license, and frequently flies out

of nearby Galt Airport in Greenwood.

However, he is closing in on that

dream of flying for the Air Force.

“My uncle was a lieutenant colonel

in the Air Force, and I always want-

ed to serve in the Air Force,” said

Kohler, who graduated from Wood-

stock North High School in 2011. “He

was my inspiration.”

Last month, Kohler graduated

from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical

University in Prescott, Ariz., with a

degree in global securities and intel-

ligence studies. At the same time, he

was commissioned into the U.S. Air

Force as a second lieutenant, hav-

ing completed four years in the Air

Force-ROTC program while attend-

ing Embry. His uncle, John O’Mera,

who lives in Florida, traveled to par-

ticipate in the commissioning cer-

emony.

In September, Kohler will begin un-

dergraduate pilot training at Laugh-

lin Air Force Base in Del Rio, Texas.

�e training is expected to last about

two years, he said, and he is commit-

ted to serving in the Air Force for the

next 10 years.

“I will start off flying the T6-Texan

II, and I will get evaluated along the

way,” said Kohler. “�ere are three

areas [in which] I could get selected

to serve: fighters and bombers, heli-

copters, and cargo/heavies.”

Kohler said his long-term goal is to

complete pilot training and fly fight-

ers, specifically the F-22 Raptor and

F-16s.

“I plan on making the Air Force a

career,” Kohler said. “I felt a calling to

serve the country and do it in a way I

think is most fitting to my abilities.”

In the meantime, Kohler is enjoying

a few months home in Woodstock, vis-

iting with his parents, Janis and John,

and younger brothers, Riley, 19, and

Bradley, 16. So far, he is the only mem-

ber of the family who has taken to fly-

ing, he said.

IN BRIEF

American Pickers heading to Illinois

The stars of the History Channel’s American Pickers will be in Illinois later this summer, and they are looking for leads for places to pick throughout the state. They prefer to pick from interest-ing characters with lots of interesting items. They don’t pick from places that are open to the general public such as stores, malls, flea markets, museums and auctions.

While most anything might catch their eyes, they have specific items they are in search of including motor scooters, old advertising signage, old toys, vintage movie and sports memorabilia, vintage concert posters and T-shirts, folk art, pre-1940s telephones and Christmas items, and musical instruments. For a full list, email [email protected] or call 855-old-rust.

Bull Valley Golf Club celebrates player development week

Bull Valley Golf Club, 1311 Club Road, will host its second annual player development week June 8 to 14. The golf club will offer lessons from staff

instructors to all new golfers, including nonmembers. The inaugural celebration in 2014 saw more than 3,500 interac-tions with new golfers at KemperSports courses across the country.

Guests at Bull Valley Golf Club are en-couraged to use the hashtag #PDWeek to show their support of the program and their love of the game of golf.

For information, call 815-337-4411.

Interact Club donates shelter box

The Woodstock Interact Club was rec-ognized by Ross Spencer, ambassador for Shelter Box USA, for its donation of $2,000 to purchase a shelter box, used to help families impacted by natural di-sasters and humanitarian crises around the world.

Interact chose to donate a shelter box as one of its service projects. Fifteen stu-dents sold flower bouquets for Mother’s Day and auctioned off 40 hours of labor at the Rotary Club of Woodstock Noon’s annual Beach Party BBQ fundraiser to raise the money. In addition, the Rotary Club of Woodstock Sunrise has donated $1,000 to Interact for the purchase of a second shelter box, capable of support-ing families of four to six people, (most likely those recovering from the Nepal earthquake).

The Woodstock Interact Club meets twice a month and is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Woodstock Noon and the Rotary Club of Woodstock Sunrise. The group gives students ages 12 to 18 the opportunity to make a difference in the community and throughout the world while having fun.

For information, call Jolene White at 815-363-2472.

Elvis, Orbison return to Woodstock

Tribute artists John Van Thiel and Dan-ny J, together with the Legendaires Show Band, will give the audience the oppor-tuntity to see what it might have been like if Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison had performed together when they take the stage at the Woodstock Opera House at 8 p.m. Saturday, June 20, for “Elvis and Orbison: the Voices of Rock.”

The tribute to two of music’s greatest legends will return as a follow-up to last year’s sold-out show. The performers will present a new show with a spectacular ending tribute that has never been done in one of their shows before. Ticket price is $38.

For information, call the Woodstock Opera House box office at 815-338-5300.

14 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTJune 17-23, 2015 COMMUNITY

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CELEBRATIONS

ANNIVERSARY

Lohmeyers celebrate 60th wedding anniversary

Margaret (Vollmann) and Carroll Lohm-eyer, Woodstock, celebrated their 60th wed-ding anniversary May 14.

The couple was married May 14, 1955, at St. John’s Evangelical Luther-an Church, Algon-quin. They have three sons, Luke (Ellen) Lohmeyer, Woodstock, Mi-chael (Beth) Lohm-eyer, Crystal Lake, and Paul (Jodi) Loh-meyer, Woodstock; and seven grand-children, Gregory, Bradley (Emanuela), Lisa, Matthew, Sean, Rachel and Sarah Lohmeyer.

A celebration with the immediate family was held at the Grand Geneva Inn, Lake Geneva, Wis.

BIRTHS

Haven Ciela SypoltA baby girl, Haven Ciela Sypolt, 8

pounds, 14 ounces, 20 inches long, was born March 26, 2015, to Kathryn Solomon and Jeffrey Scott Sypolt, Wonder Lake.

She has five siblings, Christopher and Cody Solomon, and Kali, Brenda and Arika Sypolt.

Brendan Charles Browne

A baby boy, Bren-dan Charles Browne, 7 pounds, 1 ounce, 20 inches long, was born April 4, 2015, to Michael and Brigid Browne, Park Ridge.

He has two sib-lings, Hayden, age 5 and Patrick, age 3.

His maternal grandparents are John and Molly McShane, Bloomington, Minn.

His paternal grandparents are Chuck and Sharon Browne, Woodstock.

William Thomas O’Brien III

A baby boy, Wil-liam Thomas “Tom-my” O’Brien III, 8 pounds, 21 inches long, was born April 1, 2015, to Bill and Amy O’Brien, Crystal Lake.

His maternal grandparents are Linda Goad, Wood-stock, and Don and Toby Goad, Wood-stock. His paternal grandmother is Colleen O’Brien, Woodstock. Great-grandparents are Elaine and Orvis Goad, Woodstock.

Caroll and Margaret Lohmeyer

BrendanBrowne

ThomasO’Brien III

15June 17-23, 2015THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTCOMMUNITY

INDE FOCUS

The Kishwaukee Valley Garden Club designed bouquet ar-rangements for the Special Education District of McHenry County and the School of Expressive Arts and Learning gradu-ation and corsages for the SEDOM graduates. Pictured, from left, are: chairwoman Pat Hahn, Pat Cervantes, Cathy Meyer, Charlene Thome, President Betty Housby and Joan O’Braitis. COURTESY PHOTO

KVGC DESIGNS GRADUATION BOUQUETS

KINDERGARTNERS REPRESENT WOODSTOCK IN TECH 2015

The Wood-stock Garden Club named the garden of Elaine Showers the Garden of the Month for June. Show-ers’ garden on Infanta Court has been featured on sev-eral garden walks. COURTESY PHOTO

SHOWERS RECEIVES GARDEN OF THE MONTH AWARD

TLC HOSTS MEMBER APPRECIATION EVENT

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County hosted a member appreciation event June 6 at its Yonder Prairie site. Hikers pictured, from left, are: John Nelson, TLC ecologist Melissa Hormann, Marlene Frisbie, Tum Cubr, Barb Fetzer, Bruce Kessler, Larry Fetzer, Nancy Schietzelt and Scott Kuykendall. COURTESY PHOTO

The annual TECH 2015 Students for the Information Age event was held May 7 at the Illinois State Capitol Building in Springfield. Sixty-six schools from throughout the state of Illinois participated. Kindergartners from Verda Dierzen Early Learning Center presented “Bringing Biliteracy to the 21st Century,” explaining their journey in a 1:1 pilot with tablets in their dual language classroom. Participants pictured, from left, are: teacher Kelly Edge, Teagan Jones, Oxiel Rueda and Max Beard. COURTESY PHOTO

16 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTJune 17-23, 2015 COMMUNITY

STRIKE UP THE BAND

Melanie Polley Arroyo conducts the Woodstock City Band during a concert on the Woodstock Square June 10. Melanie, 6, was attending her first city band concert when she won the honor of guest-conducting one piece. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER


FLASHBACKS

25 years ago Woodstock Die Cast closed its doors. Four public meetings were scheduled to

discuss the redevelopment of Memorial Hos-pital.

Oakbrook-based Inland Real Estate Acquisitions purchased more than 900 acres of farmland in the Woodstock area, includ-ing land along Route 120 and Queen Anne Road.

Woodstock race-walker Joyce Decker broke her own world record in a 3,000-meter race in Rock Island, finishing in 18 minutes, 7 seconds.

20 years ago The Woodstock Police Department de-

buted its bicycle unit, composed of officers Lee Okerstrom and Steve Gorski.

Plans were underway to automate the Woodstock Public Library card system by computerizing it.

Fire damaged units at the Maple Apart-ments complex on Central Parkway.

Seneca Ridge Farm celebrated its cen-tennial.

15 years ago Jailhouse Potters moved into the Old

Courthouse building on the Square. The gal-lery featured decorative, unique pieces of pot-tery.

Rising gas prices in McHenry County prompted calls from politicians for an investi-gation and action from Illinois legislators.

Work on the new Woodstock Police De-partment was delayed due to code and plan modifications.

10 years ago The Woodstock School District 200

Board of Education held a special work ses-sion to determine when, how many and what types of new schools would be needed to ac-commodate projected growth.

Fifth Third Bank Vice President Floyd Nobler presented the Challenger Center for Science & Technology with a check for $5,000.

Crystal Lake Montessori School cele-brated its 10th anniversary as an Internation-al Peace Site with a special outdoor program.

5 years ago The Woodstock Downtown Business

Association, formed in January 2006, an-nounced it would dissolve in the next month.

Main Stay Therapeutic Riding Program hosted a Rock On fundraiser featuring deco-rated rocking horse statues on the Square.

Woodstock City Council approved plans for the Main Street Music Festival on Main Street, allowing the street to be closed during much of the two-day event.

1 year ago Melinda Parrent, a District 200 library

media specialist, attended the Library of Con-gress’ Teaching with Primary Sources Summer Teacher Institute in Washington, D.C., to learn more about the library’s collection of primary source materials.

Woodstock resident Len Biedermann, 89, published the book, “An American Sol-dier: A Love Story,” chronicling the life of his brother-in-law, John Bigelow. Bigelow was a merchant marine and endured the Bataan Death March and an interment in a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp during World War II.

Woodstock North High School an-nounced teacher J.C. Wise would be induct-ed into the Illinois Golf Coaches Hall of Fame. Wise coached the Woodstock High School Golf Team for 20 years.

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


FIRST UNITED METHODIST


FREE METHODIST


GRACE FELLOWSHIP


Wednesday

GRACE LUTHERAN1300 Kishwaukee Valley Road 815-338-0554 Worship: 5 p.m. Saturday (casual); 8:30 a.m. (traditional), 10:00 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


through fifth grade)

p.m. Sunday

Note to churches: Please notify The Woodstock Independent with any changes in service times, programs, etc.

COMMUNITY


17 | WEDNESDAY WOODSTOCK LIONS CLUB MEETINGMain Street PourHouse214 Main St.6:30 p.m.815-236-4759

LAURA INGALLS WILDER IN SONGWoodstock Public Library414 W. Judd St.7 p.m.815-338-0542woodstockpubliclibrary.orgSee The Entertainer, Page 11.

CITY BAND CONCERTWoodstock Square7:30 p.m.See The Entertainer, page 11.

18 | THURSDAY

SENIOR EXERCISE CLASSDorr Township1039 Lake Ave.9 a.m.$10 monthly exercise class fee, $3.50 lunch815-344-3555Senior citizens are invited to exercise, followed by coffee, bingo and lunch.

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.

19 | FRIDAY

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 EXPRESSLY LESLIE’SWoodstock Square Mall110 Johnson St.6 p.m.expresslyleslie.comSee The Entertainer, page 11.

JAZZ JAMStage Left Café125 Van Buren St.8 p.m.815-337-1395$5 donationSee The Entertainer, page 11.

20 | SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKETWoodstock Square8 a.m. to 1 p.m.woodstockfarmersmarket.orgThe market features a variety of food and craft items produced directly by the vendors.See The Entertainer, page 11.

PANCAKE BREAKFASTWoodstock VFW 5040

240 Throop St.8 a.m. to noon$7 donation, uniformed Scouts freeThe VFW Post will assist Boy Scout Troop 159 with a fundraiser break-fast.

WOODSTOCK MODEL RAILROAD GROUPWoodstock Public Library414 W. Judd St.9 a.m. to noon815-338-0542The 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.

WOODSTOCK MUSICFESTBenton StreetNoon to 11 p.m.bentonstreetfests.comSee The Entertainer, page 11.

ELVIS & ORBISON: THE VOICES OF ROCKWoodstock Opera House121 Van Buren St.8 p.m.815-338-5300woodstockoperahouse.com$38See The Entertainer, page 11.

21 | SUNDAY

FISHING ON FATHER’S DAYBrookdale Conservation AreaPaulsen Road Shelter10 a.m. to noon$5 resident, $7 non-residentChildren ages 5 to 13 can fish with their dads using their own equipment or equipment will be provided.

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 cocoa.

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.

22 | MONDAY

MEN’S BOOK CLUBRead Between the Lynes129 Van Buren St.7 p.m.815-206-5967The group will discuss “Scratch the Surface” by Josh K. Stevens.

23 | TUESDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKETWoodstock Square8 a.m. to 1 p.m.woodstockfarmersmarket.org

See June 20 and The Entertainer, page 11.

24 | WEDNESDAY


STAGE LEFTOVERSStage Left Café125 Van Buren St. 7:30 p.m.FreeSee The Entertainer, page 11.

25 | THURSDAY

THROWBACK THURSDAYWoodstock Public Library414 W. Judd St.10 a.m. and 6:30 p.m.815-338-0542A PG-rated classic movie will be shown. Visitors can bring snacks and drinks.

26 | FRIDAY


OPEN MIC NIGHTStage Left Café125 Van Buren St. 7 p.m.$3 donationoffsquaremusic.orgSee The Entertainer, page 11.

MOVIES IN THE PARKWoodstock Water Works1313 Kishwaukee Valley Road8:30 p.m.“The Lego Movie”

27 | SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKETWoodstock Square8 a.m. to 1 p.m.woodstockfarmersmarket.orgSee June 20 and The Entertainer, page 11.

WNHS GARDEN WORK DAYWoodstock North High School3000 Raffel Road9 a.m. to noonVolunteers are invited to come and help maintain the Sue Palmore Heri-tage Garden.

REMEMBER OUR HEROES CAR SHOWWoodstock VFW 5040240 Throop St.9 a.m. to 2 p.m.$20 for car entriesThe public is invited to participate and admire the cars and honor vet-erans.

HABITAT RESTORATIONBoger Bog2100 Cherry Valley Road10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

815-455-1537Individuals, students, small groups and families with children older than age 6 can participate in restoring na-tive habitat at the conservation area.

28 | SUNDAY

WEDDING WALKWoodstock SquareNoon to 3 p.m.woodstockweddingnetwork.comAn outdoor wedding festival will fea-ture local wedding professionals, and venues and a fashion show. Preregis-tration is necessary.

HAHS HOEDOWNDonely’s Wild West Town8512 S. Union RoadUnion3 to 7 p.m.$70 per person815-337-5563hahs.orgThe Hooved Animal Humane Society will host its fifth annual dinner and auction, including a catered dinner and silent and live auction.

30 | TUESDAY


JULY1 | WEDNESDAY


2 | THURSDAY

WOODSTOCK SENIOR CLUBSHearthstone Communities840 N. Seminary Ave.10 a.m. to 2 p.m.$2.50 for lunch815-344-3555The activities will include tai chi and coffee.

JAIL BRAKERSUnity Spiritual Center of Woodstock225 W. Calhoun St.6:30 [email protected] Brakers is a support group that provides a safe place for children and families to express their emo-tional reactions to separation from a family member who has been incar-cerated.

3 | FRIDAY


JAZZ JAM

Stage Left Café125 Van Buren St.8 p.m.815-337-1395$5 donationSee The Entertainer, page 11.

4 | SATURDAY


INDEPENDENCE DAY FIREWORKSEmricson Park9:30 p.m.

7 | TUESDAY


8 | WEDNESDAY


STAGE LEFTOVERSStage Left Café125 Van Buren St. 7:30 p.m.FreeSee The Entertainer, page 11.

9 | THURSDAY

SENIOR EXERCISE CLASSDorr Township1039 Lake Ave.9 a.m.$10 monthly exercise class fee, $2 lunch815-344-3555Senior citizens are invited to exercise, followed by coffee, lunch and bingo.

10 | FRIDAY

2ND FRIDAY WOODSTOCK SQUARE ART WALKWoodstock Square6 to 9 p.m.The art walk will include visual art displays, performing artists in local businesses and trunk sales.


OPEN MIC NIGHTStage Left Café125 Van Buren St.7 p.m.$3 donationoffsquaremusic.orgSee The Entertainer, page 11.

June 17to July 10

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

For ongoing events, visit www.thewoodstockindependent.comPHOTO: MORGUEFILE

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21June 17-23, 2015THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTPUBLIC NOTICES

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Architectural Services for





22 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTJune 17-23, 2015 SPORTS

tee members and WHS Athletic Direc-

tor Glen Wilson. To date, the committee

has garnered $801,000 in donations

and pledges from community mem-

bers, alumni and businesses, according

to the campaign’s website, www.wh-

sturfcampaign.com. �e WHS Backers

Club, the school’s athletic booster club,

has pledged to donate $50,000 to the

project over the next two school years,

and the city of Woodstock has commit-

ted up to $100,000 to the project, an

amount members of the City Council

have said is contingent upon a match-

ing contribution from Woodstock

School District 200.

If board members approve the mea-

sure, the size of the field will remain

about the same, expanding 5 feet in

width to 165 feet wide and 360 feet long.

�e natural sod would be replaced by a

layer of sand topped by a crumb rubber

surface. Installing the surface, which

proponents say would be more durable

than natural sod, would enable other

sports teams, such as the boys and girls

soccer teams, to play on the field. Sup-

porters said the cheer, dance and school

band would be able to practice and per-

form on the surface, as well.

Supporters point to benefitsProponents of the plans said afford-

ing the Blue Streaks boys and girls soc-

cer teams the opportunity to play on a

home field located at the school would

provide the following benefits: players

could use the school’s locker rooms,

bleachers for spectators and use of

the concession stand. �e teams cur-

rently practice and play at off-cam-

pus sites, including Olson Elementary

School and Emricson Park.

“�is would allow student athletes to

come home,” said WHS soccer coach

Matt Warmbier. “�e current field is

like a prison yard. �ere’s no seating, no

good vantage point and the JV parents

must watch the game through a fence….

�ere are benefits to getting back on

campus, including a bigger sense of

school pride.”

Several parents and students, includ-

ing current and former students, spoke

in support of the plan. During the meet-

ing, a previously recorded video featuring

Mike Liedtke, a 2010 WHS graduate, was

shown. Liedtke played college football for

Illinois State University and recently was

signed by the Miami Dolphins.

“It’s time to get Woodstock back to its

winning ways,” Liedtke said. “I think this

is a good cause.”

Newly hired Blue Streaks varsity foot-

ball coach Tommy �ompson spoke in

favor of the plan, as well.

“I think these kids deserve this,”

�ompson said. “I think (the turf) would

breed success. I think it would attract

athletes and student athletes. �is isn’t

just laying turf. �is is an event. You just

have to make it happen.”

Opponents express concerns about risks

However, about four residents asked

the board to move slowly on the proj-

ect, and fully consider what risks the

artificial turf could pose to the students

down the road, in terms of physical in-

juries.

Opponents have pointed to studies

that have shown athletes face higher

injury rates playing on synthetic sur-

faces and also have cited recent media

reports connecting crumb rubber — pul-

verized bits of rubber, usually from old

tires, that make up the “dirt” in most ar-

tificial fields — to increased cancer rates

in players.

Members of the Renaissance Com-

mittee have referred to other studies

showing artificial turf fields are just as

safe as sod fields.

Opponents also point to reports de-

tailing some athletes’ complaints about artificial turf, including “turf burn” —

skin injuries sustained from sliding on

the synthetic surface — and the high

temperatures artificial turf can reach.

“We are asking you to suspend the de-

molition of Larry Dale Field,” resident

Barb Gessert said. At last month’s school

board meeting, Gessert presented a pe-

tition of 50 resident signatures opposed

to the project.

“Synthetic turf comes with real risks

and real benefits. …Your decision should

be right, not rushed,” Gessert said.

School board members peppered pre-

senters with questions including the lo-

gistics of paying for the project, which

will involve piecing together several

individual donations – money pledged

but not actually in the bank.

“As a taxpayer, I’m concerned about

committing to a $955,000 project when

we only have $35,000 currently in the

bank,” school board member Carl Gilm-

ore said.

While the nearly $1 million field would

primarily be built using donations – with

District 200’s contribution estimated at

$54,000 – the synthetic field has a life

expectancy of seven to 10 years. At that

time, the top surface would likely need

to be replaced at an estimated cost of

$450,000.

If the school board approves the turf

plans, the project would go out to bid

immediately. Wilson and committee

members are aiming to have the new

field installed by the Blue Streaks foot-

ball team’s first home game Oct. 2.

�e school board meeting came af-

ter �e Independent’s press deadline.

Updates will be published at www.

thewoodstockindependent.com.

Turf Continued from Page 24

23June 17-23, 2015THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTSPORTS

vanaugh stating that “we absolutely

love it here.” �e pool’s large specta-

tor capacity makes it ideal for hosting

events and fundraisers.

While their pool is up to date, the

Woodstock Dolphins are still faced

with the challenge of replacing dated

equipment.

“We know the average lifespan of

our equipment and whether its time

is coming to an end. We try and rotate

old equipment out as soon as pos-

sible,” Kavanaugh said. He went on

to say they’re looking to replace their

lane lines as well as their touchpads for

competitions.

With these replacements in mind, the

Dolphins are hoping to raise $15,000.

�ey’re hosting an event they call “fire-

cracker” as a way to collect sponsor-

ships and donations. It will take place

Tuesday, July 7, beginning with a team

breakfast at 8 a.m. �ey’re also accept-

ing donations on their website, having

already collected $2,070 to date.

With the Woodstock Dolphins’ long

history of success, Mike Kavanaugh is

looking toward the future with a great

amount of optimism.

“We’re always looking for growth.

We had a lot of success at Junior Na-

tionals this year,” he said. “�at was

the first time for our club reaching

that level. We’d like to build on that

and continue to develop our youngest

swimmers.”

And developing swimmers is what

the Woodstock Dolphins are all about.

�ey hope to empower young people

through excellence in swimming. �is

philosophy is what makes many of the

coaches love what they do.

“My favorite part of my job is seeing

our youngest participants become the

best they can be,” Kavanaugh said.

Dolphins Continued from Page 24

Recreation Department.

�is year, about 240 people par-

ticipated in the 5K and 10K races, and

many more took part in the family

events. Still, Recreation Director Dave

Zinnen said that represents a sizable

decrease in participation from last

year, probably because of a rainy race

morning.

“Our big concern was that the race-

day registration was down quite a

bit,” Zinnen said. “At 6:30 a.m., it was

pouring down rain, and that’s gener-

ally when the racers wake up and look

out the window and say, ‘Hmm, maybe

not.’”

�e rain did manage to hold off for

the race.

In the 10K race, the male overall

winner was Victor Arevalo, Marengo.

�e female overall winner was Bre-

anne Miller, Johnsburg. In the 5K

race, the male overall winner was

Jesse Long, Wonder Lake. �e fe-

male overall winner was Erin Wagner,

Crystal Lake.

Ryan Azzaline dives into the pool during a recent Woodstock Dolphins practice. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

Challenge Continued from Page 24

“We’re always look-ing for growth. We had a lot of success at Junior Nationals this year.”

— Mike Kavanaugh, Dolphins


SportsSupporters and opponents make their case to Board of Education


After listening to proponents and op-

ponents of the proposed artificial turf

project for Larry Dale Field, the Wood-

stock School District 200 Board of Edu-

cation was expected to consider whether

to approve the project at its Tuesday,

June 16, meeting.

Last week, board members held a spe-

cial meeting to hear detailed plans about

the Turf Campaign, which seeks to re-

place the natural sod surface of Larry

Dale Field at Woodstock High School

with an artificial, synthetic multi-use

surface. Woodstock High School’s Re-

naissance Committee, composed of vol-

unteers, identified the artificial field sur-

face as one way to improve the school,

which will mark its centennial in 2021.

“We just want to do something,” com-

mittee member Gwen Wormley told

the school board members and ap-

proximately 75 people who attended the

meeting. Wormley is the daughter-in-

law of �e Woodstock Independent pub-

lisher Cheryl Wormley. “We want to do

something for the kids, and this will help

the community as well.”

Installing artificial turf is estimated

to cost $955,170, according to commit-

School board to consider turf issue this week

Woodstock Dolphins make asplash

By TREVOR PRICEThe Independent

�e Woodstock Dolphins

have been making a splash

in the local swimming com-

munity. Nearly 100 strong,

this swimming organization

has grown since its found-

ing more than 50 years ago.

With age groups ranging

from 6 to 17, the Woodstock

Dolphins have become the

ideal swim club for a wide

variety of swimmers.

Much of the success of

the Dolphins can be at-

tributed to the strong par-

ticipation from their vol-

unteers. �e not-for-profit

club leans heavily on parent

participation and commu-

nity donation. Every family

is required to volunteer a

number of hours to benefit

the club. �is can be done in

multiple ways, ranging from

community outreach to of-

ficiating.

Mike Kavanaugh, the head

coach for the Dolphins, was

impressed by the turnout

they receive.

“Most families contribute

around 20 hours of help, but

many participate way more

than that. It’s great to see

that level of participation.”

�e Dolphins will be hop-

ing for that type of com-

mitment as they host meets

and other events. While

the Dolphins swim out of

Woodstock High School and

Woodstock Water Works,

their main facility is located

at Woodstock North High

School.

�is location features a

relatively new, eight-lane

pool complete with spec-

tator seating for up to 250

people. �is pool is a great

fit for the Dolphins with Ka-

» SCHOOL BOARD

Batter Brooke Hindershot keeps her eye on the ball in a U12 Woodstock Girls Softball League game against Crystal Lake June 10. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL

Please see Challenge, Page 23


For Janet Stocks, crossing the finish line

has taken on new meaning since April 15,

2013.

�e seasoned marathon and half-mara-

thon runner said she had just crossed the

finish line of the 2013 Boston Marathon

when two pressure-cooker bombs ex-

ploded about a block from where she was

standing. �e blast killed three people and

injured about 260 others.

“Finishing is always a hard step,” said

Stocks, a former Woodstock resident who

now lives in Fountain Hills, Ariz. “I have

that fear.”

Stocks was among hundreds of people

who competed in the Woodstock Chal-

lenge Road Run, a series of races in and

around Emricson Park that has become

a summer tradition for many families,

Stocks’ among them. She was running

with three other family members from the

Woodstock area.

“I had to do a hometown race,” Stocks

said.

Tim Griskey of Columbus, Ohio, also was

at the race to support family. He is part of

the Freund Family Fitness Challenge, a

series of health and wellness events orga-

nized by the Freund family of McHenry.

“We always do one race local to McHen-

ry,” said Griskey.

�e Woodstock Challenge, now in its

38th year, includes a 10K run, a 5K run/

walk, and a 1-mile and half-mile family

run/walk. It is hosted by the Woodstock

Runners line up at the starting line of the Woodstock Challenge Road Run June 14 at Emricson Park. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KATELYN STANEK

Please see Dolphins, Page 23

Please see Turf, Page 22

Rec. department hosts 38th annual Woodstock Challenge Road Run

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