1Dec. 24-30, 2014THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

By KATELYN STANEKThe Independent

A special honor recently announced by first lady Mi-chelle Obama could help

the city of Woodstock qual-ify for grants to restore its historic courthouse.

Woodstock recently was named a Preserve America Community as part of a federal initiative that rec-

ognizes places for preserv-ing cultural, historical and natural landmarks.

�e designation, made of-ficial in an announcement by the first lady Dec. 8, is administered by the Advi-

sory Council on Historic Preservation. Woodstock is one of just 11 places in Il-linois to receive Preserve America status.

INDEPENDENTTheWoodstock Dec. 24-30, 2014

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

SPECIAL

PAGE 5

Children, check out the special holiday coloring page inside

EDUCATION

Mary Endres Elementary is named an International Spanish Academy

ENTERTAINMENT

PAGE 8 PAGE 9

OBITUARIES 4

OPINION 6

EDUCATION 8

A & E 9

MARKETPLACE 11IND

EX

The Woodstock Independent671 E. Calhoun St.,

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

www.thewoodstockindependent.com

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

CALENDAR 15

CLASSIFIEDS 16

PUBLIC NOTICES 18

SPORTS 20

Chad Winter, Woodstock “I don’t think you’ll find as touching a place anywhere else.” — Amanda Umland, page 12

Off Square will host a New Year’s open mic at Stage Left Café

SPECIAL DELIVERYAn annual Christmas charity event serves about 1,400 Woodstock-area families

Volunteers line up boxes of food to be delivered to needy families Dec. 20 as part of Christmas Clearing House, an an-nual charity event serving people living in the Woodstock area. According to organizers, the event provided food and gifts to 1,365 families. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

By KATELYN STANEKThe Independent

In a packed warehouse at the corner of Highway 14 and Route 47, dozens of volunteers were giving Santa’s elves a run for their money.

It was Dec. 20, and delivery day for

Christmas Clearing House, a local char-ity event that provides food and gifts to needy people living within the bound-aries of Woodstock School District 200, was in full swing.

Rolling hundreds of boxed turkeys from a pallet to a line of waiting cars was Jim Potthast, a Woodstock resi-dent who said he’s been volunteering at

the annual event for eight years. “I think we all have an obligation to

help those who need help,” said Pot-thast, who said he ended up on turkey duty this time because “somebody told me to do this, and I did it.”

2014 marked the 44th year for Christ-mas Clearing House, which started as a small-scale event run by local Girl Scouts and quickly grew into a main-stay of local holiday charities. It has been organized by volunteers from the Rotary Club of Woodstock for most of its existence.

“I don’t know of many communities

Please see Christmas, Page 3

Woodstock wins special designation from first lady

D.C. Cobb’s owner gets go-ahead to open shop in train station

By KATELYN STANEKThe Independent

Plans to install video-gaming termi-nals threatened to derail a lease agree-ment between the city of Woodstock and a local restaurant owner.

Dan Hart, owner of D.C. Cobb’s, and his business partner, Chris-topher Gienko, eventually saw their proposal to sublet the Wood-stock train depot from the city ap-proved, but not before concerns over gambling were voiced by members of the City Council and the public.

Hart and Gien-ko will renovate the 1,000-square-foot depot in order to open a shop with coffee, beer and wine service, convenience store items, food and other sundries. Also in-cluded in their business plan are video-gaming machines located inside the shop but hidden from the view of most of their business’ targeted foot traffic — namely, commuters going to and from Chicago.

During the Dec. 16 City Council meet-ing, Lisa Hanson, a Woodstock resident who also is a partner at �e Backdrop on the Square, said she was concerned allowing video gambling at one of the town’s “gateways” could send the wrong message, particularly to the tourists city officials have expressed interest in at-tracting.

“Is that what we want, for the first thing they see to be video gambling?” Hanson asked. “… I appreciate the idea, but I don’t think it’s the right fit.”

Council OKs depot rental deal, will allow gambling

» CITY COUNCIL

Please see Depot, Page 2Please see Preserve, Page 3

HOW THEY VOTED

To approve a lease agreement between the city of Woodstock and Centerville Station:YesJulie DillonMaureen LarsonMark SaladinJoe StarzynskiRB ThompsonMike TurnerBrian SagerNoNone

Christmas Clearing House returns for its 44th year

2 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTDec. 24-30, 2014 NEWS

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WHS grad found dead in Fla.after drowning in oceanFriends are raising money for Chad Winter’s family

By KATELYN STANEKThe Independent

An 18-year-old graduate of Wood-

stock High School died while on vaca-

tion in Florida, and friends of his family

are asking for help in covering his fu-

neral expenses.

Chad Winter, a member of the WHS

class of 2014, drowned off the coast of

Florida Dec. 15. He had been paddle-

boarding in the Gulf of Mexico near

Sanibel Island, according to authorities.

“Apparently he had a medical epi-

sode that caused him to lose con-

sciousness,” said Sanibel Police Chief

Bill Tomlinson. “He fell in the water and

he drowned.”

Tomlinson said a team of five agen-

cies, including the U.S. Coast Guard,

searched the gulf for about a day as

part of a rescue mission before tran-

sitioning to a recovery operation.

Winter’s body was discovered Dec. 16.

Tomlinson said police had no reason to

suspect foul play. Autopsy results from

the Lee County coroner were pending.

Kris Stade, a friend of Winter’s family,

is leading efforts to raise money to help

pay for Winter’s funeral expenses. She

started the Chad

Winter Memorial

Fund at Gofundme.

com and called

Winter “a funny guy

who could make

anyone laugh.

“It’s amazing how

many, even kids, are

giving donations,”

Stade said. “High

school kids and

friends that know

him.”

Stade said Winter was a car aficiona-

do, something many of his friends and

classmates have alluded to in online

tributes. She said they planned to me-

morialize Winter by organizing a drive

in his memory. Friends and family also

signed the hood of his car in remem-

brance of his love of automobiles.

To donate to the memorial fund, visit

www.gofundme.com/j0cx08.

Depot Continued from Page 1

ChadWinter

�roughout a discussion that lasted

more than 45 minutes, many members

of the council agreed with Hanson that

gaming in the depot could raise some

eyebrows. But they said the alternative

— leaving the building locked and dark

— was even worse, and eventually ap-

proved the lease by a 7-0 vote.

“Would I have video gambling here?

In an ideal world, no,” said Councilman

Mike Turner. “But an opportunity to open

something that has been closed and then

open and then closed? … I have stronger

feelings about having something there

that’s going to last.”

�e depot most recently housed Stella’s

Off the Square, a coffee shop that opened

in 2013 and closed in late September due

to a “personal life change” for the owner,

according to documents from the city.

Prior to that, several other coffee shops

also operated in the space. Hart said that

was evidence the depot cannot support a

coffee shop alone.

“Based on what’s been there previously,

it’s not something we’d be interested in

pursuing without video gaming,” Hart

told the council.

�e only other application to rent the

space was submitted by Wendy Burnette,

who ran the coffee shop Trax Depot in

the same location from 2008 to 2013. Her

proposal was not heard by the council.

Officials indicated several other people

expressed interest in the space but did

not complete formal proposals.

�e agreement will allow Hart and

Gienko to install a six- to eight-seat bar

and sell some packaged beer and wine in

addition to homemade soup, sandwiches

and other food. �e city will create a new

liquor license classification to accommo-

date the business, which will operate un-

der the name Centerville Station LLC. As

part of the lease, the business is prohib-

ited from advertising its video-gaming

terminals on outdoor signage.

Hart and Gienko will pay the city on a

sliding scale that starts at $500 per month

and increases to $1,000 per month over

the course of the lease, which lasts until

April 2018.

Before the agreement ever appeared

on the agenda, it proved to be a source

of tension between Hart, who is running

for City Council, and City Hall. Hart’s

proposal was the only one submitted to

the city by its Oct. 24 cutoff date, and so

when officials opted to entertain Bur-

nette’s submission and listen to other late

interest — pushing back the date Hart’s

plans could be considered by the coun-

cil — Hart publicly accused city officials

of “changing the rules” on him, calling

the process ridiculous and unfair. He also

sent a letter to the City Council asking

them to vote on the issue at their Dec. 2

meeting, part of an attempt, he said, to

expedite the process of reopening the de-

pot to commuters.

In the end, the delayed vote on Hart’s

proposal pushed back his business plans

by about one month. Instead of opening

in January as originally planned, Hart

said the new business will be up and run-

ning sometime in February.

“I think it’s going to be really cool for

the community, and I think it’s going to

be something we do well,” Hart said. “…

We’re happy we were able to work it out.

It’s disappointing that it took so long, but

I’m happy we would get it done.”

3Dec. 24-30, 2014THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTNEWS

Average gas price

$2.30 /GAL.

Reflects average price of regular unleaded gasoline at Woodstock gas stations the morning of Dec. 22.

.38

STREET SMARTS

The state of Illinois’ annual “Drive So-ber or Get Pulled Over” crackdown on drunk drivers is underway.

Now through Sunday, Jan. 4, local police departments will be enacting high-visibility alcohol and seat-belt en-forcement procedures. Special attention will be paid toward arresting people suspected of driving under the influence.

The Bull Valley Police Department has asked that people who suspect someone of driving drunk call 911 to report the incident.

Stay safe on the roads this holiday sea-son!

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

The Woodstock Independent

Phone: 815-338-8040

Preserve Continued from Page 1

Christmas Continued from Page 1

IN BRIEF

Sheriff’s Office hosts snowmobile safety course

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting an Illinois Department of Natural Resources snowmobile safety cer-tification course from 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17. The course is open to children 12 years of age and older and for those who do not have a valid driver’s license. Those who do not have a valid driver’s license need to have this certificate to legally operate a snowmobile in the state of Illinois. Those who possess a valid driver’s license may also attend to expand their knowledge of snowmobile safety.

The IDNR Snowmobile Safety Certifi-cation Course covers maintenance and repair of snowmobiles, proper and safe operation, history of snowmobiling, first aid, protection of the environment, and the state laws.

People completing the minimum eight hours of instruction and successfully com-

pleting the final examination will receive a State of Illinois Certificate of Competen-cy and a graduate patch.

The course will be held at the McHenry County Government Center in the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office - Training Division.

Preregisitration is required. Call (815)334-4739 or cdhardt@co.mchenry.il.us. For further information on snowmobile safety courses visit http://www.dnr.state.il.us/safety/snwmob.htm.

Ski after dark at conservationdistrict sites

The McHenry County Conservation Dis-trict has two sites open late for hiking or cross-country skiing when the conditions are right.

Now through March 8, solar lit trails are open for hiking and skiing until 9 p.m. daily at Pleasant Valley, Woodstock, and Hickory

Grove Highlands, Cary. The Pleasant Valley trail, 13315 Pleasant

Valley Road, is a short, .5-mile trail locat-ed on the east side of the entrance drive and traverses relatively flat terrain. Visitors should park in the first parking area and sign in.

The trail at Hickory Grove Highlands, 500 Hickory Nut Grove Lane, Cary, is a 1.25-mile looped trail that travels through a restored savanna, offering a longer scenic route with some hills and turns, suitable for intermediate skiers. Visitors should sign in at the trail head.

MCCD also offers Candlelight Skis once a month during the season. To view the cur-rent schedule, visit the District’s website at www.MCCDistrict.org.

MCC to launch restaurant outings

The McHenry County College Trips and

Tours program and Van Galder Tour & Travel will offer Dine and Discovery, a new restaurant-of-the month program beginning in January.

Each outing features cuisine at a unique restaurant followed by an educational and entertaining activity. The price includes a meal, an activity and transportation from MCC on a deluxe motor coach.

In January, the group will visit Rosewood Restaurant, Delevan, Wis. The bus will leave at 10:45 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, and re-turn at 4 p.m. The cost is $89 per person. To register, use course ID NST S36 001.

The February trip will be to Millrose Res-taurant, Barrington, Thursday, Feb. 12. The cost $79 per person. Use course ID NST S37 001 to register.

In March, the bus will visit 52 Stratford, Plymouth, Wis. The cost is $89 per person. Use course ID NST S38 001 to register.

Registration can be made online at www.mchenry.edu/trips.

For information, call Claudia at 815-455-8782.

that put on a service project of this mag-

nitude,” said Joe Starzynski, a Rotarian

and City Council member who has head-

ed up the operation for four years.

Orchestrating the delivery of boxes

packed to overflowing with staples like

bread and cereal — not to mention bags

of lightsabers, Barbies and basketballs

— is no small feat. �is year, Christmas

Clearing House organizers estimate they

provided donations to 1,356 families,

which included 2,451 children, at a cost

of about $53,000.

“I talk to people about this, and I say to

them that you can’t get an understanding

of it until you see it,” Starzynski said.

For several days leading up to the final

delivery, hundreds of volunteers packed

food and gifts into boxes and bags des-

tined for individual households. But on

Dec. 20, the operation kicked into distri-

bution mode, with the feel of a well-run

assembly line.

Dozens of cars and trucks were put

into service as delivery vehicles, their

drivers directed — and sometimes play-

fully cajoled — by leaders who abhorred

the sight of a box sitting with nowhere to

go. �eir instructions — “Four in the gray

Chevy, two in the blue van!” — served to

move thousands of boxes and bags from

warehouse, to car, to individual homes,

in a matter of hours.

Between delivery day volunteers, peo-

ple who pack donations, those who raise

money for the annual event, and Wood-

stock Moose Lodge members who pro-

vide breakfast to volunteers, Starzynski

estimates about 1,000 people help out

with Christmas Clearing House.

“It’s always been a family tradition,”

said Jolene White, a Woodstock resi-

dent who manned a line of food boxes

and who said she and her family have

volunteered for several years. “�ere

are so many families in town who are in

need.”

Christmas Clearing House uses refer-

rals from District 200 and social service

agencies to determine which households

will receive donations from the program.

A partnership with the Woodstock

Food Pantry enables the organization

to purchase food at a discount from the

Northern Illinois Food Bank, and local

businesses, including Classic Cinemas

Woodstock �eatre, Farm & Fleet and

Walmart, chip in by giving the group a

reduced price on gifts.

In addition to children’s toys, Christ-

mas Clearing House volunteers partner

with members of St. John’s Lutheran

Church to provide gifts to senior citizens

in need.

Christmas Clearing House has seen

rapid growth in recent years in the num-

ber of people it serves. In 2004, for in-

stance, the charity provided donations

to 732 families.

“When people are in need, people are

going to step up,” said Starzynski. “... It

just keeps growing and growing.”

Christmas Clearing House organizers

collect donations year-round. To con-

tribute, send donations to Christmas

Clearing House, PO Box 53, Woodstock,

IL 60098.

“It’s a really good, feel-good kind of

thing, and it’s entirely appropriate for

Woodstock,” said Terry Willcockson,

a grant writer and human resources

coordinator for the city who put to-

gether the application.

�e focal point of Woodstock’s

campaign was the Woodstock Op-

era House, the city-owned landmark

built in 1889 that helps to anchor the

Square, itself a location listed on the

National Register of Historic Places.

But one of the primary motivations

for applying for Preserve America

recognition, Willcockson said, was to

help the city qualify for grants for its

multimillion-dollar renovation and

restoration project of the Square’s Old

Courthouse building, which predates

the Opera House by more than three

decades.

“I was desperately looking for things

for the Old Courthouse, because

the state of Illinois is ridiculous and

there’s no money for anything,” Will-

cockson said. “�at’s where munici-

palities typically get their funding for

these kinds of projects … but we don’t

have anything like that in Illinois.”

�e award makes the city eligible to

apply for grants through the National

Park Service — although that grant

program is temporarily unfunded —

and it also gives national visibility to

the town’s historic buildings. Overall,

the honor could bolster the city’s ef-

forts to track down more funding,

Mayor Brian Sager said.

“I think that’s one of the true ben-

efits,” Sager said. “Now that provides

a legitimacy, if you will, for the city as

we seek to move forward with grant

opportunities.”

In the past, city officials have said

winning grants for the restoration of

the Old Courthouse is difficult be-

cause many organizations do not

award grants to public bodies.

In addition to touting the Opera

House and the rest of the Square, Will-

cockson said the city had to provide

background on its Historic Preserva-

tion Commission and landmark status

policy in order to qualify for the des-

ignation.

“You basically have to show what

you have done in your community to

show your dedication to history and

historic preservation,” she said.

John Scharres, Opera House man-

aging director, Mark Greenleaf, Opera

House building manager, and Nancy

Baker, city planner, helped Willcock-

son assemble the application.

Other Preserve America Communi-

ties in Illinois are Blue Island, Lemont,

Lockport, Moline, Oak Park, Palestine,

Plainfield, Rock Island, Riverside and

Will County.

“I talk to people about this, and I say to them that you can’t get an understanding of it until you see it.”

— Joe Starzynski, Christmas Clearing House chairman

4 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTDec. 24-30, 2014 NEWS

OBITUARY

Chad W. WinterChad William Winter, 18, Woodstock,

died Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, on Sanibel Is-land, Fla., while on vacation with the love of his life, Lauren Akers.

He was born Feb. 6, 1996, in Woodstock, to Kerry (Enders) Warren and Kevin “Chick” Winter.

He was a kind-hearted, loving child who worried about everyone else’s well-being, even if it compromised his own. His siblings said he was the greatest brother, and they held an unbreakable bond. He will be greatly missed by his large family, friends and girl-friend.

He was an avid longboarder, and he also enjoyed his bright yellow car and vid-

eo games. A graduate of Woodstock High School, he had many friends.

He is survived by his parents, Kerry (Scott) Warren, and Kevin “Chick” (Jolene) Winter; five sisters, Ashlee (Adam) Lorenzo, Melanie Winter, Karlee Winter, Kylee Winter and Me-lissa Warren; two brothers, Brad Warren and Daniel Warren; and two nephews, Aiden and Austin Lorenzo; grandparents, Joan and Jay

Twardosz and Jean Enders; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandpar-ents, Albert and Ann Winter and Dave and Betty Warren; and two uncles, Gary Struck and Albert Winter Jr.

Visitation was held Dec. 19 and the funeral was Dec. 20, both at Fellowship of Faith Lu-theran Church, McHenry.

Alexis Semiletow, 38, 3914 Everett Ave., Crystal Lake, was charged Nov. 25 with driving with license suspended and driv-ing without headlights at Cobblestone Way and Pond Point Road. Semiletow was turned over to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $1,500. Court date was set for Jan. 8.

Edwin H. Thurow, 67, 180 S. Western Ave., Carpentersville, was charged Nov. 24 with driving under the influence and driving under the influence over at 500 Washington St., Woodstock. Thurow posted $100 and his driver’s license as bond. Court date was

set for Dec. 18. Arthur Edward Johnson, 59, 680 Leah

Lane, Woodstock, was charged Nov. 26 with theft at 1275 Lake Ave. Johnson was turned over to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office. Bond was set at $1,500. Court date was set for Jan. 24.

Breanne N. Hunt, 22, 3905 Jacobson Drive, Wonder Lake, was charged Nov. 27 with two counts of battery at 226 Main St. Hunt posted $150 bond. Court date was set for Jan. 8.

Alejandro Puga, 22, 3015 Castle Road, Woodstock, was charged Nov. 27 with driv-

POLICE BLOTTER

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

ing under the influence, driving under the influence over and driving without two head-lights at Leah Lane and Country Club Road. Puga posted $100 and his driver’s license as bond. Court date was set for Jan. 15.

Ronald B. Lancaster, 50, 3701 Doty Road, Woodstock, was charged Nov. 29 with battery at 5516 E. Lakeshore Drive, Wonder Lake. Lancaster was turned over to the McHenry County Sherff’s Office. Bond was set at $1,500. Court date is to be set.

Brian Todd Erboe, 45, 821 St. John St., Elgin, was charged Nov. 29 with driv-ing under the influence, driving under the influence over, improper lane usage and disregarding a stop sign at Throop and Judd streets. Erboe posted $100 and his driver’s license as bond. Court date was set for Jan. 15.

Arturo Matus-Pacheco, 32, 328 S. Jefferson St., Woodstock, was charged Dec. 3 with no driver’s license, suspended

registration and uninsured motor vehicle at North Jefferson and Church streets. Matus-Pacheco posted $150 bond. Court date was set for Jan. 8.

Pedro Tapia, 20, 708 Mitchell St., Woodstock, was charged Dec. 4 with pos-session of cannabis and intent to deliver cannabis at Prairie Ridge Drive and Dean Street. Tapia was turned over to the McHen-ry County Sheriff’s Office. Bond and court date are to be set.

Constantino Bernal Carbajal, 18, 1930 Hilltop Court, Woodstock, was charged Dec. 4 with driving under the influ-ence of drugs and improper lane usage at Prairie Ridge Drive and Dean Street. Carba-jal posted $1,000 and his driver’s license as bond. Court date was set for Dec. 18.

5Dec. 24-30, 2014THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTNEWS

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6 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTDec. 24-30, 2014

OpinionCHERYL WORMLEYPublisher, Co-OwnerPAUL WORMLEY

Co-OwnerKATELYN STANEKManaging Editor

THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Woodstock, IL 1987

THE EDITORIAL BOARDCheryl Wormley Katelyn Stanek Jay SchulzSandy Kucharski

’Twas the Night Before Christmas

’Twas the night before Christmas when all through the house,Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;�e stockings were hung by the chimney with careIn hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;�e children were nestled all snug in their beds,While visions of sugarplums danced through their heads;And Mamma in her ’kerchief, and I in my cap,Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap —When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter;Away to the window I flew like a flash,Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.�e moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave the lustre of midday to objects below;When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,With a little old driver, so lively and quick,I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick.More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:“Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!Now, dash away! dash away! dash away all!”As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,So up to the housetop the coursers they flew,With a sleigh full of toys — and St. Nicholas too!And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof,�e prancing and pawing of each little hoof.As I drew in my head, and was turning aroundDown the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot!A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,And he looked like a pedlar just opening his pack;His eyes — how they twinkled! his dimples, how merry!His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow.�e stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.He had a broad face, and a little round belly,�at shook, when he laugh’d, like a bowlful of jelly.He was chubby and plump; a right jolly old elf;And I laughed, when I saw him, in spite of myself.A wink of his eye, and a twist of his head,Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work, And filled all the stockings—then turned with a jerk,And laying his finger aside of his nose,And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose.He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,And away they all flew, like the down off a thistle.But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,“HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO ALL! AND TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT!

—By Clement Moore

weigh inEmail letters to the editor to letters@thewood-stockindependent.com or mail them to 671 E. Calhoun St., Woodstock, IL 60098.

» OUR VIEW

Sidewalks near schools will make a difference

I recently came across a list of Il-linois communities that will receive “Safe Routes to School” grants and was glad to see that Woodstock will be receiving $140,000 to improve sidewalks near the northside schools complex.

With the drastic recent increase in childhood obesity, all levels of government should prioritize making it possible for students to walk or bike to school safely.

Every year, it seems kids are given more homework and take on more extracurricular activities, meaning that whatever time they can spend outside exercising is precious.

I spoke to State Rep. Jack Franks last summer about the absence or state of disrepair of the sidewalks close to many of our schools and he told me he would contact the governor’s office to inquire about ways to remedy this. It looks like he followed through, and our stu-dents will benefit as a result.

As a lifelong Woodstock resident and former teacher, I really appre-

ciate this.Mercedes Jamka,

Woodstock

Perspective when it comes to teachers’ retirements

I would like to share some facts and perspective on the Illinois pen-sion issue that are always lacking from columns and opinion posts like Scott Reeder’s and the Illinois Policy Institute.

�e idea that most people don’t have a defined benefit retirement is false. Almost everyone in America does have a defined benefit, it is called Social Security. However, teachers in Illinois by law are not eli-gible to participate in Social Security. TRS is our “social security,” and, like Social Security, is a defined benefit.

�e idea that TRS benefits are greater than Social Security, and therefore teacher’s benefits are too rich, is misleading. Social Security benefits cost you 6.2 percent of your salary (though in 2012 and 2013 you paid 4.2 percent) with your employer paying a match-

ing 6.2 percent. Teachers pay 9.5 percent into TRS. If your retirement contributions were 53 percent high-er, wouldn’t you expect to receive a stronger benefit?

�e idea that teachers refuse to make changes is also false. Teach-ers unions in the state worked with legislators to come up with a plan that included significant changes, increased costs to teachers, major savings to taxpayers and would not have been challenged by the unions in court. Unfortunately the legisla-ture chose to pass a different plan, knowing that it had little promise of withstanding a constitutional chal-lenge.

�e current situation with Illinois pensions did not develop overnight. �e legislature has spent years un-derfunding the plan (the state paid nothing into the plan in 2003 and 2004); teachers have never missed a payment. Making TRS healthy after years of chronic state un-derfunding is not going to happen instantly. Giving time and space to people who spew opinions with-out any information is not likely to result in honest discussions or a fair resolution to the state’s pension issue.

Duane Peiffer,Woodstock

» YOUR VIEW

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”

— Calvin Coolidge

QUOTABLE

7Dec. 24-30, 2014THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTOPINION

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s ta f f dead l ines contact

Each year for decades I have placed the Christmas cards and let-ters my husband, Jim, and I receive in a large silver bowl given to us as a wedding present. A silver bowl seems a fitting place of honor for Christmas wishes from family and friends.

I relish opening the mail during the days leading up to Christmas – and the days immediately following, since some of our dear friends are like us and use the quiet of Christmas week for sending greetings.

I enjoy the beauty of the cards – the art that graces the front and the short and meaningful greetings on the inside. I delight in seeing pic-tures, especially of young families – evidence of their increase in num-bers and the growth of the children. And yes, I treasure Christmas letters – even the ones giving a blow-by-blow account of the year since the previous year’s epistle.

I think of my Christmas Declara-tions as a greeting to each of you. I don’t need to send a detailed account

of what’s happened at The Indepen-dent or with the Wormley family, because you are kept informed of both as you read this column each week.

I thank you for being subscribers and readers. You are The Indepen-dent’s reason for digging into actions taken by our public governing bodies, for re-porting news, covering community events, featuring people and oppor-tunities of interest, publishing letters to the editor and public notices and taking stands in editorials and through editorial cartoons.

I ended my Christmas Declarations last year with, what I now know is, the second half of the poem “I Will Light Candles �is Christmas.” I’m ending this year’s Declarations with

both verses of this poem by the Rev. Howard �urman, 1899-1981. He was a civil rights leader, author, educator, philosopher and theologian and a spiritual adviser of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Many of us will light candles as we celebrate Christmas. Some candles will be lit during worship services; others will brighten our homes and tables. As we light candles may they be, as the Rev. �urman so wonder-fully wrote, candles of joy, hope, courage, peace, grace and love. �en, as the second verse calls forth, let us begin the work of Christmas Dec. 26 and continue it in the year to come.

“I Will Light Candles this Christ-mas”

By Howard �urman“I will light Candles this Christmas,Candles of joy despite all the sad-

ness,Candles of hope where despair

keeps watch,Candles of courage for fears ever

present,Candles of peace for tempest-

tossed days,Candles of grace to ease heavy

burdens,Candles of love to inspire all my

living,Candles that will burn all year long.

When the song of the angels is stilled,

When the star in the sky is gone,When kings and princes are home,When the shepherds are back with

their flocks …�e work of Christmas begins:To find the lost, To heal the broken,To feed the hungry, To release the prisoner,To rebuild the nations,To bring peace among the people,To make music in the heart.”

‘The work of Christmas begins’» COLUMN

Cheryl Wormley is publisher of The Wood-stock Independent.

Declarations

CherylWormley

Anticipation“Never forget that anticipation is an

important part of life. Work’s important, family’s important, but without excite-ment, you have nothing. You’re cheating yourself if you refuse to enjoy what’s com-ing.” – Nicholas Sparks, author

When I was young, Christmas morning couldn’t come soon enough. I knew Santa would bring me something great, and so would my parents. First up: a Christmas stocking filled with fruit, a puzzle maga-zine or comic book, and Junior Mints, M&Ms, a Hershey bar, or some other favorite candy. �en, there’d be at least two gifts under the tree – one from Mom and Dad, and one from St. Nick. One year, I heard music coming from the den, and I found the source under the Christmas tree was a present for me – a cherished boombox, complete with cassette player and AM/FM radio! My dozens of cassette tapes could be enjoyed in stereo! Looking back now, more than 40 years later, I real-ize that’s one of the few specific gifts that I recall receiving at Christmas. What I re-member more about the holiday seasons of my childhood is the anticipation.

ExpectationWe did a lot to prepare for Dec. 25.

Dad had to work on his Christmas Eve sermon, of course, but he also made time to go with one or more of his sons to find that perfect real Christmas tree, an outdoor adventure of sorts. Getting it home and positioned in the tree stand was a challenge (especially if the bottom of the tree was cut on a slant). And while you were careful not to walk with bare feet near the tree (a pine needle under your foot can make you feel like a sap), the evergreen smell and the beauty of a lit, decorated tree made it all worthwhile.

Speaking of decorating the tree, that was a lot of fun – crossing your fingers that your lights would still work when you plugged them in, trying to distribute the ornaments evenly throughout the tree, unwrapping the newspaper sur-rounding each stored ornament and being surprised at that one you’d always loved but forgotten about, draping the garland and tinsel everywhere. �e final result: a beautiful, multicolored focal point displayed next to the window with a pride close to what �e Old Man felt in “A Christmas Story” as he showed off his leg lamp for all the neighbors to gawk at.

Mom, of course, would bake those extra-special holiday cookies you’d get to decorate with colored sprinkles and sugar, and if you had some extra cookie dough in the bowl, she’d let you eat it raw. Sooo good.

Another joy of Christmas that I always looked forward to was Christmas din-ner. We wouldn’t go over the river and through the woods to Grandmother’s house, per se, but we did typically drive into the suburbs to see my extended family, including my aunt, uncle and cousins in the Chicago area. Being with all of them made me smile. I was able to be me, and they were accepting of this bounding-with-energy-and-stupid-jokes redhead.

Fast forward to Christmas 2014�is column is being published in

a Christmas Eve edition. Times have changed. My wife and I have a bounding-with-energy-and-love calico cat, Cali. A Christmas tree wouldn’t stand a chance, and ornament hooks would pose a threat to Cali and our feet. We put up a few decorations inside our home, but not a lot. Why not? A lack of time is part of it. Between the daily train commute into Chicago for work and various evening/weekend meetings/rehearsals/church services, I don’t have a lot of time for decorating.

I do still help decorate cookies when possible. (Except for years when I just ate

cookies without the “décor.”)Also, we still look forward to getting

together with our Illinois relatives. All of us are a little older (my 90-plus-year-old aunt and uncle are now in Florida year-round), but humor and joy are still an important part of the festivities. And my side of the family waits with bated breath for the multiple-choice holiday trivia quiz I develop each year.

What’s the point?My experiences may or may not bear

some similarity to yours. But whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s or the Winter Solstice, re-member that traditions aren’t set in stone. �ey’re set in clay, ready to be molded into a new ceramic treasure. As my life changes, I look back fondly at those memories that brought – and may still bring – me peace and joy, but I don’t for-get to appreciate those who are currently gathered around the table. Regardless of whether there are any wrapped presents, their presence is a gift.

» COLUMN

Paul Lockwood is an active member of Grace Lutheran Church, the vice president of the Woodstock Public Library Board of Trust-ees, a frequent community theater actor, and the immediate past president of TownSquare Players. He works in Chicago as RFP Man-ager for The Vitality Group. He and his wife Diane have lived in Woodstock since 2001.

A Musing

PaulLockwood

8 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTDec. 24-30, 2014

Club, Spanish Honor Society, National

Honor Society and girls soccer. Outside

of school, she is active in club soccer

and a faith-based youth group.

At WHS, Dillon Nerland is involved

in soccer, tennis, math team, National

Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society

and Standing Room Only men’s a cap-

pella group. He volunteers at Helping

Paws Animal Shelter.

Olivia Schuette participates in Stu-

dent Council, National Honor Society,

Spanish Honor Society and Green Club.

Outside of school, she works at Jaci’s

Cookies.

“It is quite an accomplishment when

you read the statistics,” said WHS Prin-

cipal Justin Smith. “�ese students are

in the top 4 percent of all students na-

tionally who participated in taking the

SAT.”

EducationMary Endres wins recognition from Spain

By MIKE NEUMANNThe Independent

Mary Endres Elementary School was

recently recognized as an International

Spanish Academy by the Spanish Min-

istry of Education for its excellence in

language education.

�e school was one of 14 in the U.S.

and Canada recognized this year. Keely

Krueger, director of grants, language

and culture at Woodstock School Dis-

trict 200, said the district has applied

for the distinction for the past five

years, adding it could result in access

to expanded dual-language program-

ming and resources at Mary Endres in

the future.

“We feel very strongly about our

dual-language program,” Krueger said.

“It’s just really exciting for us to be rec-

ognized.”

District 200 officials said recognized

schools support a strong academic

program in all subjects in Spanish and

English, foster international commu-

nication and respect through multi-

cultural education, facilitate student

access to higher education in Spanish-

speaking countries and offer materials

and resources that support Spanish in-

struction and multicultural education.

“Mary Endres was our first school

to incorporate our dual-language pro-

gram back in 2004,” Krueger said. “At

least half of the students there are now

learning through the dual-language

program.”

�e dual-language program allows

students to learn in English 50 percent

of the day and in Spanish 50 percent of

the day. Currently, 257 MEES students

participate in this program. A dual-lan-

guage program is now incorporated in

10 district schools.

A representative of the International

Spanish Academy officially recognized

the school Dec. 16 during a special pre-

sentation.

During the presentation, two dual

language fifth-grade students spoke. A

native Spanish speaker, Javier Perez-

Carbajal, spoke in English. A native

English speaker, Jason Burg, spoke in

Spanish.

“�e main reason why I am in dual-

language is because my mom wants me

to go to college, to get scholarships and

to have a good job,” Perez-Carbajal said

during the presentation. “And she says

that if I keep learning both languages,

it is going to be easier to get all these.”

Burg said he liked the program be-cause it gives him greater ability to

connect with people.

“I like being in dual-language be-

cause it gives me the opportunity to

learn more languages, learn things

from other countries and cultures and

allows me to talk to people who only

speak one of the languages,” he said.

Krueger said it was powerful to have

the two students speak, noting each

spoke fluently despite not speaking in

their first languages.

HIGHLIGHT

News of recognitions and milestones can be sent to Janet Dovidio at fetjetjd@aol.com.

WHS students win National Merit honors

By JANET DOVIDIOThe Independent

�ree Woodstock High School seniors

have been named National Merit Com-

mended students in the 60th annual Na-

tional Merit Scholarship Program. �ey

are Mia Eldridge, Dillon Nerland and Ol-

ivia Schuette.

�is program is an academic scholar-

ship competition for recognition and for

university scholarships.

Mia Eldridge is the WHS Student Coun-

cil president. She also participates in Key

Elementary school is one of 14 in the U.S. and Canada to be named an International Spanish Academy

9Dec. 24-30, 2014THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

A & EOff Square Music to hold New Year’s Eve Bash

By SANDY KUCHARSKIThe Independent

As a thank-you to the community that

has supported Open Mic Night through-

out the past year, Off Square Music is

throwing a New Year’s Eve Bash begin-

ning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31, at

Stage Left Café. Visitors will be treated to

different performances every 10 minutes

throughout the evening, along with piz-

za, a countdown clock and a champagne

toast at midnight.

“We have some really good entertain-

ment,” said Keith Johnson, Off Square

Music board member. “A lot of people

have signed up.”

�e family-friendly evening will offer

a variety of acoustic music performed

by area musicians of all ages. “It’s kind of

fun to sit there and watch the door,” said

Johnson. “We start at 7 p.m. with 15 to 20

people in the audience and six to eight

musicians, and the instruments keep ar-

riving all evening.”

�e open-house format allows the au-

dience to come and go throughout the

evening; however, the event typically

draws a full house. Nationally known

folk duo Small Potatoes will perform

for the last 20 minutes before midnight

and will welcome the crowd into 2015

with the traditional singing of Auld Lang

Syne.

Off Square Music is a 501(c)(3) orga-

nization, chartered to promote acoustic

music. “What we really try to do is pro-

mote local musicians,” Johnson said.

“We have people coming from all over

the metropolitan area to perform here.”

Memorable standouts that have taken

their turn performing at Open Mic Night

include the Illinois Fiddle Champion

Georgia Rae Mussared; guitarist Macyn

Taylor, still a teenager but teaching gui-

tar at the University of Wisconsin-Mil-

waukee; and Judson Brown, lead guitar-

ist for country band Bella Cain, among

others.

“It allows people that are not profes-

sional a chance to demonstrate what

they can do,” he said. “It’s so rewarding

for me and all the board members to see

the level of musicianship and level of

preparedness of people.”

One such example is Al Fyfe, a life-

long Woodstock resident, who Johnson

described as a closet bass player. Fyfe

played the instrument in high school

orchestra, but continued to play on his

own at home until about five years ago

when he decided to get up and perform

at an open mic night. �e acceptance

and approval of his peers led Fyfe to join

a group and he now performs regularly.

“How many of us are going to be pro-

fessional musicians?” asked Johnson,

explaining that open mic is for people

who have music as a hobby and want to

keep developing that talent.

Rich Prezioso of Small Potatoes has

been a longtime friend of the Off Square

music family. He said, “[Open mic is] re-

ally important. It’s so different playing in front of people. You can play and sing in

your bedroom and your living room and

you can do a song a million times, and

it’s never the same as if you’re perform-

ing in front of people.”

He added, “�e nicest thing [about

open mic] is that it’s really friendly. Any-

body can walk in, and the audience is

with you.”

Prezioso and his Small Potatoes part-

ner and wife, Jacquie Manning, reside in

Cary and consider Stage Left Café among

their home venues. �ey’ve been travel-

ling and performing as professional mu-

sicians for 21 years, and they are listed

as a favorite act by many coffeehouses,

clubs and house concerts across the U.S.

�ey’ve made repeat appearances at

many major folk festivals, performing

music they describe as “Celtic to Cow-

boy.” �eir most popular songs include

Prezioso’s “1,000 Candles, 1,000 Cranes”

and Manning’s “Waltz of the Wallflow-

ers.”

» COLUMN

A great year of entertainment

Another wonderful year of perfor-

mance is concluding at the Wood-

stock Opera House. �is month

featured ballet (“�e Nutcracker”),

classic theater (“A Christmas Car-

ol”) and classical guitar (Ed Hall’s

Christmas Guitar Night). �e Opera

House also featured the Christmas

Tree Walk and hosted the Lighting

of the Square. I hope you were able

to attend some of these wonderful

presentations.

My columns this year have fea-

tured actors, directors, producers,

artists and staff members. In Janu-

ary, I featured Michael Stanard, a

graphic designer who has such a

love for classic rock and pop artists,

that he finds the best tribute groups

in the country and brings them to

the Opera House for us to enjoy. In

February 2015, he will bring tributes

to Creedence Clear Water Revival

and James Taylor to town.

I featured another producer, Deno

Buralli, Jr., in the August column.

Deno has sponsored musical perfor-

mances for the past 30 years.

In February, March and April my

columns featured: TownSquare

Players’ officers; actress and dancer

Christy Johnson; and actor/director

Bob Riner and his wife, Elaine Riner,

the backstage master, and longtime

Woodstock Musical �eatre Com-

pany representative to the Opera

House Advisory Commission. While

the WMTC just finished “A Christ-

mas Carol,” both community theater

groups already are at work on their

spring productions of “�e Drowsy

Chaperone,” performed in March,

and “Oliver,” which

opens in April.

�is year’s col-

umns also included

stories about Opera

House staff mem-

bers, including Tish

Lyon and Nancy

Canty, the Opera

House house manag-

ers; Dan Wiegel, the

event staff worker

who was featured for

his photography art

display in the com-

munity room, and Joe McCormack,

our new production manager. In May,

I introduced you to Jim Mansfield,

the Woodstock native who has turned

homemade Christmas presents into a

true artistic career when he displayed

his watercolors in the Community

Room.

In October, I introduced you to a duo

with a McHenry County connection,

Duo del Sol. �eir unique techniques

turn the guitar and violin they play into

a whole orchestra of sound and a won-

derful evening of entertainment.

January at the Opera House is tra-

ditionally a month that is one of the

two light months of the year as far as

performances go. While the community

theater companies rehearse, Wood-

stock Fine Arts will present a Creative

Living talk (photojournalist Mark

Hirsch) �ursday, Jan. 15. �e Opera

House will present the duo Switchback

(Brian FitzGerald and Martin McCor-

mack) Saturday, Jan. 31. Others in the

community will be preparing for the

multiday Groundhog Days events and

the District 200 Education Founda-

tion’s annual dinner and auction Jan.

31, which will feature a Mardi Gras

theme this year.

I hope you have had a wonderful

December. Whether you celebrate

Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or you

just enjoy the winter season, I hope you

had time to be with family and friends

and that you spent some time enjoying

all the Opera House had to offer for

the season. Have a wonderful 2015 and

stay warm as we start to look forward

to spring!

Coming soon �e Woodstock Fine Arts Associa-

tion will present Mark Hirsch �ursday,

Jan. 15.

�e Opera House will present

Switchback Saturday, Jan. 31.

For information and to purchase

tickets, call 815-338-5300 or visit www.

woodstockoperahouse.com.

Now Playing

TonyCasalino

Tony Casalino is chairman of the Woodstock Opera House Advisory Commission.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH

When: 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 31Where: Stage Left Café, 125 E. Van Buren St.Suggested donation: $3

Small Potatoes, a nationally known folk duo, will perform during a New Year’s Eve open mic event at Stage Left Café. COURTESY PHOTO

10 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTDec. 24-30, 2014 ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

WOODSTOCK’S ENTERTAINMENT HIGHLIGHTSThe Entertainer

» MUSICOPEN MIC NIGHTDec. 26, Jan. 9, 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.

ROCK HOUNDSDec. 27, 9 p.m.Offsides Sports Bar & Grill

680 South Eastwood Drive$5 cover815-334-8700Rock Hounds plays progressive rock covers.

OPEN MIC SPECIAL NEW YEAR’S EVE BASHDec. 31, 7 p.m.Stage Left Café125 Van Buren St. $3 donationoffsquaremusic.orgOpen Mic is sponsored by Off Square Music. Various artists will perform in 10-minute slots during this special New Year’s Eve celebration.

JAZZ JAMJan. 2, 16, 8 p.m.Stage Left Café125 Van Buren St.815-337-1395$5 donationJazz Jam is sponsored by Jazz on the Square. Artists will perform jazz music.

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKETJan. 3, 9 a.m. to noonMcHenry County Farm Bureau1102 McConnell RoadFreewoodstockfarmersmarket.orgChery Niemo and the Down Home Boys will perform.

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

WINDY CITY DUELING PIANOS DINNER SHOWJan. 9, 7 p.m.D.C.Cobb’s226 Main St.No cover815-206-5580Windy City Dueling Pianos will combine high-energy music played on two pianos by skilled performers with interactive comedy.

‘80S PARTY FEATURING SUNSET STRIPJan. 10, 9 p.m.D.C.Cobb’s226 Main St.$5815-206-5580Sunset Strip is an ‘80s tribute band, playing music including Guns N’Roses, Bon Jovi, Poi-son, Def Leppard and Motley Crue.

SWITCHBACKJan. 31, 8 p.m.Woodstock Opera House121 Van Buren St.$22815-338-5300The musical duo of Brian FitzGerald and Mar-tin McCormack will perform their original mu-sic, described as a blend of American Roots with Celtic Soul.

» LECTURECREATIVE LIVING SERIESJan. 15, 10 a.m.

Woodstock Opera House121 Van Buren St.$24815-338-5300Photojournalist Mark Hirsch will tell his sto-ry of healing from a serious accident and share the photos of the bur oak tree that helped him.

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

‘UNBROKEN’The true story of Olympian Louis Zamperini, who was a prisoner of war during World War II. “Unbroken” is directed by Angelina Jolie (“In the Land of Blood and Honey”) and stars Jack O’Connell (“Starred Up”), Finn Wittrock (“Noah”) and Jai Courtney (“Divergent”). RATED PG-13, 137 MINUTES

‘THE HOBBIT: THE BATTLE OF THE FIVE ARMIES’ The Hobbit trilogy concludes as Bilbo and company are forced to go to war, while, at the same time, they must find a way to stop Smaug. “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” is directed by Peter Jackson (“King Kong”) and stars Ian McKellen (“Apt Pu-pil”), Martin Freeman (“Love Actually”) and Richard Armitage (“Into the Storm”). RATED PG, 144 MINUTES

‘ANNIE’ A foster child, who lives un-der the rule of a horrible foster mom, finds her life changing after she meets up with a busi-ness tycoon. “Annie” is di-rected by Will Gluck (“Easy A”) and stars Jamie Foxx (“Ray”), Cameron Diaz (“There’s Something About Mary”) and Quvenzhané Wallis (“12 Years a Slave”). RATED PG, 118 MINUTES

‘INTO THE WOODS’A baker and his wife are tasked with procur-ing magical items from classic fairy tales to reverse the curse on their family tree. “Into the Woods” is directed by Rob Marshall (“Chicago”) and stars Meryl Streep (“Silk-wood”), Anna Kendrick (“Up in the Air”), Emily Blunt (“The Devil Wears Prada”) and Johnny Depp (“Cry Baby”). RATED PG, 124 MINUTES

‘THE GAMBLER’Professor and gambler Jim Bennett finds himself heavily in debt and must look for a way out. “The Gambler” is directed by Ru-pert Wyatt (“Rise of the Planet of the Apes”) and stars Mark Wahlberg (“The Fighter”), George Kennedy (“The Naked Gun”) and Jessica Lange (“King Kong”). RATED R, 111 MINUTES

‘EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS’Moses leads his people in rebellion against the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses. “Exodus: Gods and Kings” is directed by Ridley Scott (“Alien”) and stars Christian Bale (“The Dark Knight”), Joel Edgerton (“Warrior”) and Ben Kingsley (“Gandhi”). RATED PG-13, 150 MINUTES

‘NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: SECRET OF THE TOMB’Larry crosses the world to try and save the magic of the tablet before it disappears and his museum friends are gone. “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” is directed by Shawn Levy (“Real Steel”) and stars Ben Stiller (“Zoolander”), Robin Williams (“Good Will Hunting”) and Owen Wilson (“Wedding Crasher”). RATED PG, 97 MINUTES

11Dec. 24-30, 2014THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

MarketplaceClassic Cinemas appoints new chief executiveChris Johnson, who began as an usher in the ’70s, will lead the company that owns the Woodstock Theatre

By EMMA KRUPPThe Independent

Chris Johnson got his first taste of the

movie theater business in the late 1970s,

working as an usher at Classic Cinemas’

Downers Grove location. Now, nearly

four decades later, he has been appointed

the company’s new chief executive.

�is appointment represents Johnson’s

final ascension in climbing the proverbial

family-business ladder. Over the years,

he has worked as an assistant manager,

manager, concessions manager and oper-

ations manager. Most

recently, he served

as vice president of

the Downers Grove-

based company that

owns the Woodstock

�eatre on Main

Street.

He will continue to

function as the head

of operations for the

company, managing

finance, theater op-

eration and human resources.

Johnson’s father, Willis — who remains

president of the company — acquired the

original Classic Cinemas Tivoli �eatre in

Downers Grove in 1978.

“It was an accident, really,” Johnson

said. “My dad and uncle owned a building

that had theater operations within it. �ey

had a lease lasting until the early 1990s.

One day the tenant packed up and left, so

[the tenant’s] manager approached my

dad with a deal. He said, ‘I’ll operate the

theater if you do the business.’ And that’s

how it all started.”

�e business venture soon transformed

into a passion for the Johnson family — a

genuine love for hometown theaters that

launched the beginning of Classic Cin-

emas as a company.

“Once we finished restoring [the Down-

ers Grove location], we realized, ‘Hey, this

is kind of cool; it’s kind of a treasure,’”

Johnson said. “So we went on the lookout

for other small, downtown theaters.”

�is search eventually led to the ac-

quisition of 12 other cinemas, including

the Woodstock �eatre in 1988. Since

then, the Woodstock �eatre has under-

gone several cycles of renovations, the

most recent of which was a complete

overhaul and expansion that lasted from

2012 to 2014.

“We call it ‘the best of the old, and the best of the new,’’’ Johnson said. “We took

the wow factor of the old and incorporat-

ed the new factor of technology. So it has

all sorts of neat little technology pieces,

but it still has that old-time feel.”

It’s this melding of new technology

and classic charm that Johnson seeks

to build upon as chief executive of Clas-

sic Cinemas, including multiplatform

ticket selling, a guest reward system and

new screening equipment. Additionally,

he plans to expand menu options and

implement larger, more comfortable

seating areas. Ultimately, Johnson said,

the moviegoing experience remains the

central component of Classic Cinemas’

philosophy.

“I’m focused on getting people together

to have a great night out. �at’s how we’re

going to find success moving forward.”

ChrisJohnson

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS

Filed in the McHenry County Recorder’s Office Nov. 20 to Dec. 4:

Residence at 897 Tara Drive, Wood-stock, was sold by Charles and Angela Boe, Woodstock, to Mark and Haley Wis-ner, Woodstock, for $205,000.

Residence at 8608 Garrison Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Chicago, to George and Diane Hines, Woodstock, for $65,000.

Residence at 8608 Garrison Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by George and Di-ane Hines, Vail, Colo., to James and Joann Howard, Wonder Lake, for $120,000.

Residence at 3163 Shenandoah Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Jeffrey and Lisa Mattson, Crystal Lake, to Juan Trujillo and Benita Brito, Woodstock, for $105,000.

Residence at 4611 W. Shore Drive, Wonder Lake, was sold by Jeffrey and Avis Fisher, McHenry, to Nicholas Wirtz, Won-der Lake, for $18,000.

Residence at 635 Silver Creek Road, Unit D, Woodstock, was sold by Thomas Tierney, Woodstock, to Dominic Girola-mo and Lauren Mueller, Woodstock, for $97,000.

Residence at 2024 Red Barn Road, Woodstock, was sold by Brian and Tiffany Larson, Hawthorn Woods, to Thomas Clif-ford and Ashley Masiero, Woodstock, for $228,750.

Residence at 1221 Thomas Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Joyce Shook and Norma Hellstrom for the estate of William French, Milwaukee, to Larry and Janet Choitz, Woodstock, for $78,000.

Residence at 1444 Fox Sedge Trail, Woodstock, was sold by Carmen Gonza-lez, Coral Gables, Fla., to Maria Lee for the LMD trust, Woodstock, for $180,000.

Industrial building at 555 Borden Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Chicago Ti-tle Land Trust, Chicago, to Sioux Narrows LLC, Woodstock, for $575,000.

Residence at 17706 Garden Val-ley Road, Woodstock, was sold by Sam and Cynthia Romano, Woodstock, to The Shields Animal Shelter Foundation, Wood-stock, for $305,000.

Residence at 5118 Willow Drive, Wonder Lake, was sold by Artistic Artistry Inc., Wonder Lake, to Steven Diaz, Won-der Lake, for $105,000.

Residence at 3150 Boerderij Way, Woodstock, was sold by Thomas Franz, Woodstock, to Mark and Terry Walke, Cary, for $269,000.

Residence at 1007 Hickory Road, Woodstock, was sold by the estate of Al-

ice Mae Wilcox, McHenry, to Tom Tierney, Woodstock, for $85,000.

Residence at 816 Wheeler St., Wood-stock, was sold by Chicago Title Land Trust Company, Woodstock, to John and Patsy Hoyt, Woodstock, for $113,000.

Residence at 7920 Swarthmore, Woodstock, was sold by USA Bank N.A., Jacksonville, Fla., to Sandra and Anthony Perrone, Crystal Lake, for $290,000.

Residence at 1631 Poplar Lane, Woodstock, was sold by the Doris A. Zank Revocable Trust, Woodstock, to Diane Em-erson, Robert Emerson and John Emerson, Lake Geneva, Wis., for $160,000.

Residence at 540 Birch Road, Wood-stock, was sold by Ginmeg LLC, Crystal Lake, to Gabriel Bernal, Woodstock, for $109,000.

Residence at 8512 W. Sunset Drive, Wonder Lake, was sold by the Federal National Mortgage Association, Dallas, to Walsh Partners Inc., Cary, for $52,450.

Residence at 2940 Brahms Lane, Woodstock, was sold by Richard and Jen-nifer Glauser, Wonder Lake, to Austen Wiedel, Woodstock, for $154,900.

Residence at 8516 Alden Road, Wonder Lake, was sold by PHH Mortgage Corporation, Mt. Laurel, N.J., to SEC Fu-tures LLC, McHenry, for $31,650.

Residence at 13721 Davis Road, Woodstock, was sold by the Sandra L. Tillman Trust, Woodstock, to Thomas and Jean Teterycz, Woodstock, for $375,000.

Residence at 626 Pleasant St., Woodstock, was sold by Stephen and Sal-ly Lescher, Woodstock, to Daniel and Lisa Thayer, Woodstock, for $167,500.

Residence at 12219 Baker Terrace, Woodstock, was sold by Phillip Branecki, Bartlett, to Paul and Marianne Houle, Woodstock, for $242,000.

Residence at 1006 Clay St., Wood-stock, was sold by the Federal National Mortgage Association, Dallas, to Glynnis Anderson, Woodstock, for $115,000.

Residence at 336 Dean St., Wood-stock, was sold by Melissa Roth, Bar-rington, to Robert and Karen Good, Woodstock, for $198,000.

Residence at 12309 Ware Road, Woodstock, was sold by Diane Evans, Harvard, to Adam and Beth Hogan, Woodstock, for $190,000.

Residence at 8515 Bull Valley Road, Bull Valley, was sold by Carolyn Wojak, Prospect Heights, to Brian and Amanda Jakubowicz, Bull Valley, for $340,000.

Residence at 3104 Shenandoah Lane, Woodstock, was sold by the Fed-

eral Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, Carrollton, Texas, to Habitat for Humanity of McHenry County Inc., Woodstock, for $94,000.

Residence at 2370 Applewood Lane, Woodstock, was sold by James Smith and Laura Strus, Hawthorne Woods, to Ruhy Garcia, Woodstock, for $149,000.

Residence at 2032 Red Barn Road, Woodstock, was sold by Brian and Amanda Jakubowicz, Woodstock, to Derek Kurtz-man, Findlay, Ohio, for $240,000.

Residence at 1006 Yasgur Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Centex Homes,

Schaumburg, to Eric and Shanah Bemis, Woodstock, for $199,655.

Residence at 1756 Yasgur Drive, Woodstock, was sold by Centex Homes, Schaumburg, to Carly and Matthew Monaghan, Woodstock, for $178,620.

Residence at 3810 E. Lake Shore Drive, was sold by Christine and Michael Furmanek, Crystal Lake, to Ronald Dubrock, Wonder Lake, for $69,000.

Residence at 7913 W. Chestnut Drive, Wonder Lake, was sold by Jack Kellogg LLC, Des Plaines, to Peter Kanwischer, Park Ridge, for $36,000.

12 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTDec. 24-30, 2014

SEDOM holds last Christmas program

SEDOM student Aurora Murphy visits with Santa Claus while elf Natalie Andrews looks on. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

By SANDY KUCHARSKIThe Independent

�e joy of Christmas was “bittersweet” for staff and students during the Special Education District of McHenry County’s SEDOM Center Christmas celebration Dec. 19. It was the Woodstock school’s last holiday celebration, a result of plans to close the school due to declining enroll-ment.

“It’s kind of bittersweet,” said SEDOM Center teacher Amanda Umland. “�ere’s a sad undertone, but we really pushed hard to make it a more united and exciting time. We think that some of them are get-ting the idea that there is change coming, but a lot of them don’t truly understand it.”

�e event was the culmination of a week of holiday festivities, including decorated rooms and hallways, and ending with a visit from Santa Claus, who greeted all the children and gave them each a gift.

“It’s one of the most exciting days of the year,” said Umland. “Kids love it.”

�e school’s students gathered in the gym and sang familiar holiday carols ac-companied by an accordion. Santa arrived as they were singing, giving high fives to students on his way to his chair in the front of the room. �e children visited with each other as they waited for their turns, sporadically applauding for each other as they received gifts from Santa, who was assisted by Natalie Andress, his fully costumed elf.

“�e fact that it’s a very comfortable, fa-miliar place instead of having to go to the mall helps them to be much more relaxed and engaged with the process,” said Linda Cruise, SEDOM Center program facilita-tor. �e facility serves special-education students from throughout the county.

“I don’t think you’re going to find as touching of a place anywhere else,” said Umland. “Even our students who usually don’t like crowds or anything different like this. It’s very positive. �ey love watching, and they take turns and do an excellent job.”

Familiarity with the teachers and their surroundings is important for the chil-dren, Cruise said.

“�ey’re used to everybody,” said Cruise. “We can change something up on them,

and it doesn’t have the same effect.”In September, SEDOM announced

plans to close its center in Woodstock at the end of the school year, citing declin-ing enrollment as the primary reason for shuttering the school. Many school dis-tricts are choosing to educate students with special needs “in-house,” as opposed to sending them to special schools like the one operated by SEDOM, although SEDOM itself will continue to offer pro-grams in area schools.

Staff members expressed their sad-ness at the reality that this would be the school’s last holiday celebration.

“As the children returned from Santa with their gifts, some of them showed their friends what they’d received,” Um-land said. “Some kids here are very good friends. It’s sad to think they might not be together.”

A notable void in this year’s festivi-ties was the absence of facilities man-ager John Cole, who had been out sick all week. Each year, Cole enjoyed donning the Santa suit and handing out unique gifts to each child, something he person-ally arranged.

“He loves doing this type of event with

the students,” said Cruise.“I’m sure he’s just brokenhearted,” said

school nurse Carolyn Sweeney. She said the school experienced many absences over the past week among students and staff members.

Not wanting to disappoint the children, another Santa Claus was recruited so the celebration could go on as scheduled.

“Nobody does it better than SEDOM,” said physical therapist Linda Schuberth. “�ey’re all just like us. �ey love the joy of Christmas. It doesn’t matter if their body is very involved. �ey know joy and happiness.”

“They’re all just like us. They love the joy of Christmas. It doesn’t matter if their body is very involved. They know joy and happiness.”

— Linda Schuberth, SEDOM physical therapist

Woodstock Moose Lodge is among the most active in the nation

By JANET DOVIDIOThe Independent

Woodstock Moose Lodge #1329 and its Women’s Chapter #364, lo-cated at 406 Clay St., are among the most active in the country.

�e organization ranks 10th in the country in men’s membership drives and retention and sixth in the coun-try in women’s membership drives and retention. �e lodge is in its 96th year. �e group currently numbers 1,056 men and 800 women.

Even their building is famous. It was featured in the movie “Ground-hog Day.”

�e holiday season included many Moose activities for members. On Dec. 7, it was “Shop with Santa” day. Children up to age 12 shopped in the basement with Santa Claus.

No parents were allowed. While the parents ate breakfast upstairs, the children chose gifts between $1 and $5. Volunteer elves wrapped the gifts.

On Dec. 14, Santa Claus was on stage in the lodge’s dance hall. �e children each received an age-ap-propriate present after telling Santa what they would like. More than 100 children and grandchildren of mem-bers participated.

One popular Moose activity is the ongoing Queen of Hearts raffle, held every Friday night. Using a regular full deck of cards, 54 cards are each sealed in an envelope. Participants buy raffle tickets each week. If their number is called, they choose one of the envelopes.

�e goal is to pull the Queen of Hearts for a cash win. �us far no one has drawn the Queen of Hearts. �e money raised from this effort will be used for repairs to the lodge’s roof.

Moose Lodge members nation-wide support many charities, includ-ing their Mooseheart Child City and School in Illinois and Moosehaven Retirement and Assisted Living in Florida.

Locally, the Moose contributes to adult and children’s rehabilitation centers, battered women centers, Pi-oneer Center and police charities.

“I love this group,” said past Gov-ernor Bill Locke. “I talk about it with anyone who walks in the door. �e camaraderie, the family activities, the fundraisers for good causes – all of this makes this a great organiza-tion.”

HIGHLIGHT

News of recognitions and milestones can be sent to Janet Dovidio at fetjetjd@aol.com.

Community

13Dec. 24-30, 2014THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTCOMMUNITY

IN BRIEF

MCDH encourages tree recycling

McHenry County Department of Health encourages residents to recycle natural Christmas trees after the holiday season. Several area locations will recy-cle trees into mulch for free. Mulch used in landscaping provides multiple envi-ronmental benefits including conserving moisture, improving soil structure, re-ducing weeds and soil erosion and pro-viding plant nutrients. Christmas trees dropped off for recycling must have all decorations removed.

Collection sites include: Dorr Township Road District, 12322 Davis Road, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, Dec. 26 to Jan. 31. McHenry County Conservation District drop-off sites in-clude Glacial Park, Ringwood and Rush Creek, Harvard. MCCD drop off sites will accept trees Dec. 26 to Jan. 15.

Dorothy Woodward celebrates 90th birthday

On Dec. 23, longtime Woodstock resident Dorothy Woodward celebrated her 90th birthday. The former owner of Bob Woodward Ford raised two chil-dren and three grandchildren in addi-tion to caring for many other children throughout her lifetime. She also worked at a local insurance agency, the public library and the courthouse.

To commemorate the event, her family is throwing a card shower and asking that anyone who knows her to drop her a birthday card or send best wishes to her by mail addressed to: Mrs. Dorothy Woodward, P.O. Box 306, Woodstock, IL 60098.

14 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTDec. 24-30, 2014 COMMUNITY

FLASHBACKS

25 years ago The Woodstock Independent chron-

icled Woodstock resident Dean Mischler, who served in the Army during World War II. Mischler was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and spent 115 days as a pris-oner of war.

The Woodstock City Council ap-proved an ad hoc committee to help de-velop a revised comprehensive plan for the city of Woodstock and appointed nine members of the general public to the com-mittee.

The Woodstock High School boys swimming team defeated Cary-Grove 40-36 behind Jason Magnani, who won the 100-yard backstroke with a time of 1 min-ute, 2.69 seconds.

20 years ago The Woodstock Independent profiled

Woodstock resident Jean Stilling and her pen pal Cheryl Stagg, Brisbane, Austra-lia, who had been communicating for 30 years.

Prairie Patchwork Mercantile, lo-cated on the Woodstock Square, took first place in the Christmas window decorating contest sponsored by the Woodstock Gar-

den Club. Kenneth V. Fiske was selected as one

of 18 national recipients of the Norman A. and Ruth A. Berg Conservation Fellow Award.

15 years ago Construction began on a

3,600-square-foot office building for Hicks-gas on Lake Avenue.

The Thoughtfulness Shop, located on the Square, opened an 1,100-square-foot expansion just in time for Christmas.

“Heart of Christmas,” performed by Jim Post, celebrated its 10th anniversary at the Woodstock Opera House.

10 years ago Turning Point hired Jane Farmer as its

new executive director. A new bridge on Deep Cut Road

was named after Rollie Neumaier, who served as Hartland Township supervisor for 20 years.

Swanky Spa opened at Route 47 and Calhoun Street.

The Marian Central girls basketball team won the Genoa-Kingston tournament behind Tara Girolamo, who scored 32

points in the teams three games.

5 years ago Faith Lutheran High School an-

nounced plans to sell its land located just off Route 120 and keep its school in Crys-tal Lake for the foreseeable future.

Changes, including a veterans facil-ity and Metra station, were announced for a proposed multipurpose venue on High-way 14.

The Woodstock North High School boys wrestling team defeated North Chi-cago 54-24 behind Jake Powell, who won by fall in the 171-pound weight class.

1 year ago The Woodstock City Council ap-

proved a $9.4 million property tax levy, an increase of $400,000 over the previ-ous year.

The city of Woodstock Public Works Department created a pond for ice skating at the Hennen Conservation Area.

WNHS student Julia Slomski was selected for the cast of the Illinois High School Theatre Festival All-State produc-tion of “The Grapes of Wrath.”

RELIGION NOTES

BLUE LOTUS TEMPLE & MEDITATION CENTER

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

CHRIST LIFE

Worship: 10:30 a.m. Sunday

EDEN BAPTIST

Worship: 3 p.m. Sunday (Spanish)

FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST

Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN

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

FIRST UNITED METHODIST

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

FREE METHODIST

Worship: 10:30 a.m. Sunday

GRACE FELLOWSHIP

Worship: 10:15 a.m. Sunday

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

HERITAGE BAPTIST4609 Greenwood Road

Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday

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

Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday

THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday

THE VINE

Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday

UNITY SPIRITUAL CENTER

Worship: 10 a.m. Sunday

WOODSTOCK ASSEMBLY OF GOD

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

WOODSTOCK BIBLE

Worship: 9:30 a.m. Sunday

fifth grade)

p.m. Sunday

15Dec. 24-30, 2014THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTCOMMUNITY

Dec. 25 to Jan. 17

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

25 | THURSDAY

CHRISTMAS DAY

26 | FRIDAY

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

27 | SATURDAY

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 re-storing native habitat at the con-servation area.

ROCK HOUNDSOffsides Sports Bar & Grill680 South Eastwood Drive9 p.m.$5 cover charge815-334-8700See The Entertainer, page 10.

28 | SUNDAY

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

31 | WEDNESDAY

OPEN MIC NIGHT NEW YEAR’S EVE SPECIALDec. 31, 7 p.m.Stage Left Café125 Van Buren St. $3 donationoffsquaremusic.orgSee The Entertainer, page 10.

1 | THURSDAY

NEW YEAR’S DAY

2 | FRIDAY

JAIL BRAKERSUnity Spiritual Center of Wood-stock225 W. Calhoun St.6:30 p.m.224-422-7431jailbrakers@gmail.comJail Brakers is a support group that provides a safe place for children and families to express their emotional reactions to sepa-ration from a family member who has been incarcerated.

JAZZ JAMStage Left Café125 Van Buren St.8 p.m.815-337-1395$5 donation

See The Entertainer, page 10.

3 | SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK FARMERS MARKETMcHenry County Farm Bureau1102 McConnell Road9 a.m. to noonwoodstockfarmersmarket.orgVoted No. 1 in Illinois for midsize markets in 2012.See The Entertainer, page 10.

FIRST SATURDAY MUSICUnity Spiritual Center of Wood-stock225 W. Calhoun St. 7 p.m.$3 donation815-337-3534See The Entertainer, page 10.

8 | THURSDAY

SHAPE WOODSTOCK WORKSHOPWoodstock North High School Auditorium3000 Raffel Road6 p.m.815-338-4270The first in a series of seminars that will inform parents about the positive impact physical activity and good nutrition have on aca-demic lives of children.

9 | FRIDAY

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

WINDY CITY DUELING PIANOS DINNER SHOWD.C.Cobb’s226 Main St.7 p.m.No cover815-206-5580See The Entertainer, page 10.

10 | SATURDAY

MARIAN PLACEMENT TESTINGMarian Central Catholic High School1001 McHenry Ave.8 a.m.$10 test-processing fee815-338-4220Marian Central Catholic High School will be administering its freshman placement test for the the class of 2019 incoming fresh-men. No appointment necessary. Testing begins at 8:15 a.m.

‘80s PARTY FEATURING SUNSET STRIPD.C.Cobb’s226 Main St.9 p.m.$5815-206-5580See The Entertainer, page 9.

11 | SUNDAY

HELPING PAWS NEW

VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONHelping Paws Shelter2500 Harding Lane1 p.m.815-338-4400helpingpaws.netHelping Paws will offer a monthly orientation to new volunteers.

12 | MONDAY

SPOUSAL CAREGIVER SUPPORT GROUPFamily Alliance2028 N. Seminary Ave.10:30 a.m. to noon815-338-3590An open support group meeting will be offered for individuals car-ing for a spouse.

MCHENRY COUNTY HORSE CLUB MEETINGHooved Animal Humane Society10804 McConnell Road7 p.m.847-366-1315The general meeting of the club is open to everyone. Meetings will have various speakers and exhib-its.

13 | TUESDAY

ALZHEIMER’S & DEMENTIA FAMILY SUPPORT GROUPValley Hi Nursing & Rehabilitation2406 Hartland Road6 p.m.815-334-2817Caregiving tips and strategies will be discussed.

NORTHLAND AREA ART LEAGUE MEETINGOpera House Community Room121 Van Buren St.7 p.m.815-337-2027The annual Christmas celebration meeting will be held. Walk-ins and guests are welcome.

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

14 | WEDNESDAY

DAYTIME BOOK CLUBRead Between the Lynes129 Van Buren St.12:30 p.m.815-206-5967The group will discuss “The Inven-tion of Wings” by Sue Monk Kidd.

15 | THURSDAY

CREATIVE LIVING SERIESWoodstock Opera House121 Van Buren St.10 a.m.$24815-338-5300Photojournalist Mark Hirsch will tell his story of healing from a serious

accident and share the photos of the bur oak tree that helped him.

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

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.

16 | 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.

SONGWRITER SHOWCASEMixin Mingle124 Cass St.7:30 p.m.$7, includes light beverages847-507-1352aplacetoshinemusic.comSee The Entertainer, page 10.

17 | SATURDAY

WOODSTOCK MODEL RR GROUPWoodstock Public Library414 W. Judd St.9 a.m.815-338-0542Local train photographer, Terry Norton, will show a slide presenta-tion of pictures he has taken around Chicago from the early 1960s to present.

WINTER TREE IDENTIFICATION WALKHennen Conservation Area4622 Dean St.10 a.m. to 2 p.m.$5, bring your own lunch815-337-9502Learn how to identify trees based on the twigs and bark in a class-room setting, then out on the trails.

ONGOING

DISTRICT 200 ART SHOWDaily during library hoursWoodstock Public Library414 W. Judd St.Student works of art from all grade levels will be on display through Jan. 12.

OPEN AA MEETINGSundaysWoodstock Alano Club545 W. South St.

11 a.m.815-455-3311Meetings are open to anyone who is interested or who might have a problem with alcohol.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUSMondaysFirst United Methodist Church201 W. South St.815-575-4283The weekly meeting is open to people with eating problems in-cluding overeating, undereating and binging.

OPEN VOLLEYBALLMondaysWoodstock Recreation Center820 Lake Ave.6:45 to 9 p.m.Free for members, $4 nonmembers815-338-4363woodstockrecreationdepartment.comTeams will be formed at random each week to play volleyball.

COFFEE AT THE CAFÉ FOR SENIORSTuesdaysStage Left Café125 Van Buren St.1 to 3 p.m.Senior citizens are invited to drop in for coffee.

MINDSHIFTERS GROUPTuesdaysUnity Spiritual Center of Woodstock225 W. Calhoun6:30 p.m.$5 suggested love offering815-337-3534unitywoodstock.orgThe support group will focus on the practical use of self-help tools for personal and spiritual growth.

BINGOWednesdaysWoodstock Moose Lodge406 Clay St.7 to 9:30 p.m.815-338-0126Games will include crossfire. Food will be available. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

VFW FISH FRYFridaysVFW Post 5040240 N. Throop St.5 to 8 p.m.$8.50815-338-5040

MCHENRY BINGOFridaysWoodstock VFW250 N. Throop St.Doors open at 6 p.m., games start at 7 p.m.815-338-5040Proceeds benefit pediatric cancer. For weekly jackpots visit McHen-ryBingo.com.

PHOTO: WILSON HUI

BEST BETSELECTION

To submit calendar items, e-mail pr@thewoodstockindependent.com or visit

thewoodstockindependent.com

18 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTDec. 24-30, 2014

PUBLIC NOTICEASSUMED NAME

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PUBLIC NOTICES

SPORTS

Jon Grell, who noted the Streaks were

seeded No. 1 in the tournament at 152

and 182. “To get anything but first is a

disappointment but it shows how hard

this tournament is and how good the

teams are. To get any medal in this

tournament is an achievement.”

“You can have bad days. I’d rather

have them in December and January

than in February. �at will be our take

away [from this tournament],” Grell

said.

“�is is a good experience for the

postseason,” Grell said. “We are ap-

proaching the halfway point of the sea-

son so to go into a tournament against

really strong teams with state qualifi-

ers and medalists is a good tune up or

wake-up call for where you need to be

come February.”

For WHS, junior Kevin Zange finished

fourth at 152; junior Martin Halilaj fin-

ished fifth at 195; and junior Eli Kruse

finished sixth at 160.

Tournament Continued from Page 20

Liedtke’s Redbirds

earn trip to title game

Woodstock graduate Mike Liedtke

will probably get many presents for

Christmas. But, none bigger than the

offensive lineman

and the rest of

the Illinois State

University Redbird

football team gave

themselves Dec. 20.

Illinois State

downed the Univer-

sity of New Hamp-

shire 21-18 to earn

a first-ever trip to

the NCAA Division

I-Football Cham-

pionship Series

title game at noon

Saturday, Jan. 10, at

Toyota Field in Frisco, Texas. Waiting for

the Redbirds is a very familiar opponent

– North Dakota State University. While

they did not face the Bison this year, the

two teams have met each other in previ-

ous years in the Missouri Valley Football

Conference.

“We are very excited,” said Liedtke,

who is ISU’s starting left tackle. “I wish

it was a little sooner. I am ready to play

it next weekend. I expect to learn a bit

more about North Dakota State in the

next few weeks, but I know that they

make you work for everything you get.

�ey give away nothing.”

Against New Hampshire, the Redbirds

posted 457 yards of offense. Of those

yards, 278 came through the air while

178 were rushing yards. Illinois State will

enter the national title game, which will

be the second to last college football

game of the 2014-15 season, with a 13-1

mark, 7-1 in the MVFC. It also marks the

first time that two teams from the same

league have met for the title.

“New Hampshire was a solid team,”

said Liedtke. “I think anyone knows how

tough.”

North Dakota State enters the game as

the defending national champions.

CJ Price (Marian Central Catholic)

had three solo tackles for St. Cloud State

University this year. He played in three

games. St. Cloud State finished 6-5 both

overall and in the Northern Sun Inter-

collegiate Conference.

Women’s basketballCody Brand (Woodstock) scored six

points as her college team, the Univer-

sity of St. Francis, defeated Columbia

College 81-77. �e starter also had six

blocked shots and five rebounds and

played 24 minutes.

Women’s swimmingAllison DeWane (Woodstock) and

Emily Albertz (Woodstock North) com-

peted at the House of Champions, which

was hosted by Indiana University-Pur-

due University Indianapolis. DeWane,

who swims for Western Illinois Univer-

sity, swam in seven events. She was a

member of four relays that finished in

the top 20. She was a part of the Western

Illinois 200-yard freestyle relay (10th,

1 minute, 40.12 seconds), 400 freestyle

relay (13th, 3:41.62), 200 medley relay

(15th, 1:55.52) and 800 freestyle relay

(16th, 8:19.43). Individually, she com-

peted in the 200 freestyle (37th, 2:05.65),

100 freestyle (42nd, :57.88) and 50 free-

style (44th, :26.28).

Albertz competed in four events for

Butler University. She helped Butler

finish in the top 10 in two relays. But-

ler took sixth in the 200 medley relay

(1:48.93) and seventh in the 200 freestyle

relay (1:38.31). She also competed in the

50 freestyle (34th, :25.37) and 100 free-

style (36th, :56.77).

Butler took sixth as a team with 566

points, while Western Illinois took eighth

with 452 points. IUPU-Indianapolis took

first with 1,662 points.

Women’s ice hockeySierra Meiners (Woodstock North)

had one assist in the first nine Finlandia

University ice hockey games. Meiners

has played in seven of the games. Fin-

landia is 0-9.

Men’s tennisConor Moon (Marian Central Catho-

lic), a Carthage College senior tennis

player, posted a 2-1 mark this fall.

» COLUMN

The College Report

DanChamness

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

MARIAN CENTRAL Girls BasketballDec. 20: MC 36, Richmond-Burton 28For MC, Sarah Benigni had 13 points, and Makala Villont had 10 points.Dec. 20: MC 32, North Chicago 63For MC, McKenzie Lindquist and Michaela Faunce each scored 6 points. Dec. 19: MC 44, Lakes 56For MC, Sarah Benigni scored 14 points. Dec. 15: MC 50, Rochelle 26For MC, Sarah Benigni scored 15 points, and Makala Villont scored 14 points. Boys basketballDec. 20: MC 46, Huntley 32For MC, Adam Pischke scored 19 points, and Nick Waytula had 13 rebounds. Dec. 19: MC 50, Marist 54For MC, Adam Pischke scored 16 points.

WOODSTOCK Girls basketballDec. 22: WHS 53, WNHS 41For WHS, Selena Juarez scored 23 points, and Jenifer Crain scored 13 points. Dec. 20: WHS 51, Crystal Lake South 48For WHS, Selena Juarez scored 20 points. Dec. 20: WHS 59, Round Lake 31For WHS, Jenifer Crain and Selena Juarez each scored 20 points. Dec. 19: WHS 61, Johnsburg 67For WHS, Jenifer Crain scored 23 points, Selena Juarez scored 16 points, and Gabby Scolio scored 12 points. Dec. 15: WHS 52, Grayslake Central 47For WHS, Jenifer Crain scored 17 points, and Selena Juarez scored 13 points.Boys basketballDec. 20: WHS 58, North Boone 31For WHS, Nick Kubiak and Vannis Smith each scored 10 points. WrestlingDec. 20: WHS finished 11th out of 16 teams with 61 points at the Sciacca/Holt-freter tournament in Harvard. For WHS, Nicholas Sundberg placed 3rd in the 182-point weight class. Dec. 18: WHS 42, Prairie Ridge 27For WHS, Joe Kruse won by fall in the 138-pound weight class, and Martin Halilaj won by pin at 195.

WOODSTOCK NORTHBoys basketballDec. 22: WNHS 44, Harvest Christian 11For WNHS, Josh Jandron scored 15 points. Dec. 20: WNHS 42, Westminster Chris-

tian 70For WNHS, Josh Jandron scored 11 points, and Marshall Coalson scored 10 points. Dec. 15: WNHS 63, Wauconda 72For WNHS, Josh Jandron scored 33 points, and Vic Ortiz added 17 points. WrestlingDec. 20: WNHS finished 12th out of 16 teams with 60 points at the Sciacca/Holt-freter tournament in Harvard. For WNHS, Cody Barnes placed 1st in the 220-pound weight class. Dec. 18: WNHS 27, Hampshire 51Girls basketballDec. 22: WNHS 41, WHS 53For WNHS, Ashley Jones scored 16 points. Dec. 20: WNHS 48, Marengo 17For WNHS, Rhetta Bates had 11 points, and Rachel Schaffter had 9 points. Dec. 20: WNHS 32, Wauconda 45Dec. 19: WNHS 44, Dundee-Crown 56For WNHS, Ashley Jones scored 18 points. Dec. 12: WNHS 26, Hampshire 40For WNHS, Ashley Jones and Rhetta Bates each scored 11 points.

WOODSTOCK CO-OPBoys bowlingDec. 20: Woodstock finished 9th out of 14 teams with 5,482 pins in the East Holiday Invite in Rockford. For Woodstock, Edward Zurawski Jr. fin-ished 11th overall, bowling a 1,197 high series and a 237 high game.

Boys JV bowlingDec. 20: Woodstock finished 5th out of 10 teams in the East Holiday Invite in Rock-ford. For Woodstock, Ethan Greggie placed 4th overall bowling, a 1,155 high series and a 212 high game.

Boys swimmingDec. 18: Woodstock 76, Zion-Benton 93For Woodstock, Joe Miceli took first place in200-yard IM with a time of 2 minutes, 29.21 seconds, and Connor Wilhelm took first in the 100 freestyle, 57.12.Dec. 12: Woodstock 34, Cary-Grove 99For Woodstock, Jake Maher took first in the 200-yard freestyle with a time of 2:15.19. Girls bowlingDec. 20: Woodstock finished 12th out of 16 teams with 3,954 pins in the East Holi-day Invite in Rockford. For Woodstock, Samantha Kunke bowled a 939 high series and a 194 high game. Dec. 18: Woodstock 2,244, Jacobs 2,434For Woodstock, Samantha Kunke bowled a 595 high series and a 232 high game.

SCOREBOARD

19Dec. 24-30, 2014THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENT

Four WHS students commit to college sports programs Dec. 16

By JAY SCHULZThe Independent

�e Woodstock High School library

was filled with athletes and their coaches

and family Dec. 16 as four Blue Streaks

athletes signed their letters of intent to

play college athletics.

Emma ThillBlue Streak Emma �ill will play soc-

cer at the University of Wisconsin-Eau

Claire, an NCAA Division III program.

“I picked Eau Claire because it had ev-

erything I wanted,” �ill said. “I wanted

a strong nursing program; I wanted a

good soccer team that I fit well into; and

I wanted a school that was a decent dis-

tance away from home. I don’t want to

go too far, but I don’t want to stay too

close.”

�ill, who plays forward and outside

mid, said she is excited about her re-

cruiting class.

“I know a couple of the recruits, and

I think we are all bringing something to

the table,” �ill said.

“It’s very exciting for the program

and, obviously, for Emma,” said WHS

head soccer coach Mike Golda. “I’ve had

the opportunity to coach Emma since

eighth grade and watch [her play devel-

op]. It seemed like she got really hungry

at the beginning of last year, and it just

carried over.”

�ill will study nursing and wants to

specialize in labor and delivery.

Ana FedmasuBlue Streak Ana Fedmasu, a three-

time IHSA state qualifier, will play tennis

at the University of Illinois-Springfield,

a NCAA Division II program.

Fedmasu, who graduated from WHS

in December, will start school Jan. 20.

“I’m very excited,” Fedmasu said. “I’m

counting down the days.”

“Being on the team for four years made

me learn that the team is like your fam-

ily,” said Fedmasu, who said she believes

she can help the team with “leadership,

friendship and improving each other.”

“I’m really excited for her,” said WHS

head coach Jessica Justice. “She’ll do

great. I have no concerns, no worries.”

Fedmasu will major in criminal justice

and minor in sociology. She said plans

to add a psychology major and wants to

work for the FBI.

Austin ButtsBlue Streak Austin Butts will attend

McHenry County College.

“I felt it would give me the best op-

tion to reach my higher goals which are

playing [NCAA] D1 college [baseball]

and maybe professional baseball,” Butts

said. “I feel like I made the right decision,

and it’s going to allow me to have goals

to work toward, and I feel like I have a

better chance to achieve them.”

Butts pitches and plays first base and

outfield.

“It’s a fantastic move for [Austin],” said

WHS head baseball coach John Oliveira.

“�e conversations I have had with Aus-

tin is that he has had a few mid-major

schools looking at him, and I’m glad he

decided on MCC because of the academ-

ics. To be able to use the honors pro-

gram at MCC and use that to strive to

something better academically and use

athletics to drive to be a better baseball

player, is important.”

Butts will complete his general educa-

tion studies and hopes to be in the hon-

ors program.

Eric BellBlue Streak Eric Bell will attend MCC.

“I like [the school],” Bell said. “Being

able to stay at home and not having to

be in debt should help me. … I think it’s

the best opportunity for me to try and

become better schoolwise.”

“I’m glad he is at MCC because he has

that opportunity to develop into some-

thing that could be really good,” Oliveira

said. “He’s been really good for McHenry

County, and now we’ll see what he can

do at the college level.”

Bell, who catches for the Streaks, will

study fire sciences. He wants to be a fire-

fighter.

SPORTS

Fame in 1997, said he was humbled by the

honor and credited his staff and players

for his success.

“I’m really honored,” Brucker said. “I

was a little surprised. I had kind of given

up on it. … It’s kind of a recognition for

all the assistant coaches and players I’ve

had. I’ve always had a really good staff

[and really good players].”

Brucker’s nomination was made by his

former WHS co-worker John �eriault.

�eriault was Brucker’s assistant coach

when Brucker was head coach of the

baseball team and the sophomore foot-

ball coach.

“It’s an honor well deserved,” �eriault

said. “His record speaks for itself. … In my

eyes, more importantly, is Ed always did

things the right way. He never compro-

mised integrity for

a victory. He always

took good care of

kids and did what

was best for the

kids.”

“Very well de-

served,” said former

WHS Athletic Di-

rector Doug Smith,

who hired Brucker

as the WHS head

football coach. “Ed

is as much a quality individual as he

was a quality coach. He was an excel-

lent coach and a great mentor and role

model to all the players over the years

whether it was Woodstock or Marian

Central.”

Ed Brucker

Brucker Continued from Page 20

�e �under are currently 1-7 on the

season, and Jandron said he would defi-

nitely take wins over points.

“I would take 10 points a game and win

every game,” Jandron said. “I would take

that every day.”

Jandron said he worked on his outside

shot this summer after attending several

camps where guards dominated from

outside the 3-point line.

“I might as well have slept at the gym,”

Jandron said. “I was so dedicated to mak-

ing myself better.”

“He’s a totally different player from last

year,” Ryan said. “His maturity level from

last year to this year is steps higher than

what it was. He works even harder than

he did last year. We knew these things

were coming with him, and I just hope he

keeps it up.”

Jandron, a three-sport athlete, plays

soccer in the fall and baseball in the

spring. Basketball, however, is his favor-

ite sport, and he is hoping to play in col-

lege. He has been contacted by a couple

of schools, and there have been coach-

es scouting him.

Jandron Continued from Page 20

“Having the record makes me happy, but, then again, I look at it as I need to keep going.”

— Josh Jandron, WNHS basketball player

Blue Streak athletes sign with colleges

Woodstock High School students Ana Fedmasu, left, and Emma Thill sign their letters of intent to play college athletics Dec. 16 in the WHS library. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY KEN FARVER

20 THE WOODSTOCK INDEPENDENTDec. 24-30, 2014

By JAY SCHULZThe Independent

Longtime Woodstock foot-

ball coach Ed Brucker will be

inducted into the Illinois Foot-

ball Coaches Association Hall

of Fame Saturday, April 18, in

Champaign.

Brucker retired in November

after coaching 43 years in Wood-

stock – 31 years at Woodstock

High School and 12 years at Mar-

ian Central Catholic High School.

At the varsity level, Brucker com-

piled a record of 164-58, 63-23 at

WHS and 101-35 at Marian. He

led the Blue Streaks to an unde-

feated season and the IHSA Class

5A state title in 1997. He led the

Hurricanes to a second-place fin-

ish in Class 5A in 2006. Brucker

also coached the WHS sopho-

more football team for 19 years

and had a record of 139-32.

Brucker, who was inducted into

the Illinois High School Base-

ball Coaches Association Hall of

SCOREBOARD

PAGE 18

Scores and stats from local high school teams

SIGNINGS

Four student-athletes sign on to play sports in college

PAGE 19

COLLEGE REPORT

A WHS grad is headed to a title game with ISU

PAGES 19

SportsSportsBrucker to be inducted into coaching hall of fame

Please see Brucker, Page 19

Football coach to be honored in April

Jandron sets Thunder hoops scoringrecordWNHS basketball player has 770 points to his name, is aiming for 1,000

By JAY SCHULZThe Independent

Woodstock North High School se-

nior basketball player Josh Jandron

scored 33 points Dec. 15 against Wau-

conda High School and is now the

�under’s all-time scoring leader, hav-

ing passed up WNHS graduate Steven

Whiting, who previously held the re-

cord with 730 points.

Jandron now

has 770 points as

of Dec. 22 with at

least 17 games left

in the season. He

said his goal is

1,000 points.

“Having the re-

cord makes me

happy, but, then

again, I look at it as

I need to keep go-

ing,” Jandron said.

“Knowing that the school opened in

2008, there are not too many records

to break. I’m always going to other

schools, and I see what other players

have done. I want to push myself to be

better than them.”

“Josh has earned everything he has

accomplished,” said WNHS head coach

Steve Ryan. “He’s worked extremely

hard on his game. �is is a great ac-

complishment for him to achieve this

goal right now, but he would be the first

one to tell you that he would rather

trade the points for wins.”

Woodstock North’s Cody Barnes wrestles in the 220-pound weight class at the Sciacca/Holterfreter wrestling tournament in Har-vard Dec. 19. Barnes placed first in his weight class and is 19-0 on the season. INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY STEVE MARTIN

» WRESTLING SCIACCA/HOLTFRETER TOURNAMENT

By JAY SCHULZThe Independent

Woodstock North High School se-

nior Cody Barnes took first place in

the 220-pound weight class at Har-

vard High School’s Sciacca/Holtfreter

Wrestling Tournament Dec. 19 and 20.

Both WNHS and Woodstock High

School participated in the 48th an-

nual event, which featured 16 teams.

�e Blue Streaks finished 11th with 61

points and the �under took 12th with

60 points. Huntley High School won

the tournament with 215 points.

But Barnes was the story of the tour-

nament for Woodstock schools. �e

two-time state qualifier placed third in

the tournament last year.

“�is year, I went in with a lot bet-

ter mindset,” said Barnes, who won

the championship match by fall in 1

minute, 40 seconds. “I went in know-

ing I had to [win the match quick-

ly]. Last year, I messed around,

and I got a headlock put on me.”

Barnes, who is currently 19-0, said he

is happy with his performance.

“Right now, I feel good about where

I’m at,” said Barnes. “I’m not going to

be cocky. I’m not ranked really high. I’d

rather sit low and stay out of the spot-

light for now.”

WNHS head coach Nathan Zentner

said he was impressed with the im-

provement from Barnes and senior

Randy Kline, who finished third at 170,

an improvement over last season. He

said he was looking for more from his

freshmen, Jake Finch, 106, and Chris-

topher Flores, 285.

“We had a couple of freshmen here,

and they struggled,” Zentner said. “It’s

good for the freshmen to be here – just

for the experience. I wish they would

have wrestled better, but it’s a tough

competition, especially for a freshman.

�ey are as ready as they are going to

be. �ey have to get their feet wet.”

Also for WNHS, junior Jake Fiorito

finished sixth at 145.

For the Blue Streaks, junior Nicholas

Sundberg finished third at 182 and was

the team’s highest place-finisher.

Sundberg said he was hoping for a

better result.

“After my loss [in the semifinal

round], I was pretty disappointed,”

Sundberg said. “�en I found out I lost

to an opponent who is ranked fourth in

state [by Illinois Matmen]. It made me

feel a little better.”

Sundberg, who qualified for the IHSA

Class 2A state tournament last year,

said he wants to make sure he places at

state this year and knows he needs to

continue to improve.

“Placing [at state] is my biggest con-

cern right now,” said Sundberg. “It tells

me there are a lot of kids better than

me and how hard I need to train now.”

“We underperformed in our seeds

for our top kids,” said WHS head coach

Barnes takes tourney title

Please see Tournament, Page 18

» BOYS BASKETBALL WNHS

Josh Jandron

Please see Jandron, Page 19

WNHS wrestler wins Sciacca/Holtfreter Wrestling Tournament at 220 pounds