Rosh Hashana starts tonight

From the Monday, Sept. 29, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Rosh Hashana starts tonight
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

Eight-year-old B.J. Llaneta of Crystal Lake knows that he will never have perfect attendance at school.

Every year he misses classes to observe the Jewish holiday Rosh Hashana, which starts at sundown today.

“It’s always traumatic because he has to miss school,” said Amy Yoslov-Llaneta, his mother. “But living in a Christian world, you get used to it.”

While most people will go about their weekly routine, Jews will step aside from work and school over the next few days to usher in the Jewish New Year.

Rosh Hashana, a high holiday for Jews, is a time of self-reflection.

“We look over the last year at what our goals were, how we met them and how we didn’t meet them,” said Rabbi Maralee Gordon of the McHenry County Jewish Congregation, in Crystal Lake.

Most Jews honor the occasion with a special family meal.

“It’s time for family and friends to get together with a festive holiday meal,” said Judy Minsley, of Congregation Tikkun Olam.

The meal includes a round challah, or Jewish bread. The bread is round for this holiday to represent God’s crown, the circle of life or unity, Minsley said.

The special meal also will include a celebrated dish, such as brisket, turkey or chicken. The meal also includes sweets, such as cakes and apples to be dipped in honey.

“We’re supposed to eat sweet things because we’re praying for a sweet year ahead,” Minsley said.

Beyond the family meal, Jews will spend significant time at services starting Monday night.

“There are prayers inserted into the liturgy that make us think about our mortality and focus on being in charge,” Gordon said.

During Rosh Hashana services, the Torah will be draped in white, Minsley said. A member of the congregation also will blow a shofar, a ram’s horn.

“It’s quite striking,” Gordon said. “It’s meant to wake us up to our behavior and [the need] to make changes.”

Like Christmas and Easter for Christians, services for Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, another High Holy Day which starts Oct. 8, often are the most well attended, Gordon said.

Local service locations
The McHenry County Jewish Congregation’s observance of the High Holidays will begin at 7:30 p.m. Monday, with Erev Rosh Hashana services, followed the next two days by services that begin at 9 a.m. The congregation meets at 8617 Ridgefield Road, Crystal Lake.

Congregation Tikkun Olam’s observance will begin at 7:30 p.m. Monday with Erev Rosh Hashana services, followed by services at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Congregation Tikkun Olam meets at Congregational Unitarian Church, 221 Dean St., Woodstock.

Soccer players flood Cary

From the Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Soccer players flood Cary
DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

CARY - Hundreds of youth soccer players from across northern Illinois came to Cary Saturday to play in the 24th annual Sheppard Schleisman Memorial Soccer Tournament.

The tournament was started 24 years ago to honor a youth soccer player and his coach, who were killed by a drunk driver in May, 1984.

Stuart Sheppard and his coach, Tim Schleisman, were killed when they were returning to Cary after a Crystal Lake birthday party for Tim's son, Ty. A drunk driver crossed the center line and crashed into their car.

The Cary Soccer Association has hosted the tournament every year since their deaths to commemorate their love for soccer and keep their memory alive.

"It's a great thing for the community to do, to remember a tragic situation," said Mark Kownick, vice president of the association.

The three day tournament kicked off Saturday morning at 8 a.m. More than 2000 players will participate in the tournament at Cary-Grove, Kaper and Lions parks in Cary.

The tournament continues today and concludes with championship games Sunday, Oct. 5.

Sheppard's mother, Jo, will be present at the champion games next week, Kownick said.

"She'll give a little background, and remind people what it's all about," he said.

The tournament is completely volunteer-run, and aims to raise scholarship money for soccer players. Last year, $13,000 was raised, and organizers hope to exceed that amount this year.

It's also one of northern Illinois’ longest-running recreational soccer tournaments.

"We're now starting to have coaches who have played in the tournament," Kownick said. "It's coming full circle now."

For participants, the tournament was as much an opportunity to memorialize Sheppard and Schleisman as it was to enjoy the game they loved.

Allen Vaughn, who coaches the Harvard Green Apples, used the tournament to motivate his team of 11 to 14-year-olds.

"I tell my kids before every game that I don't care if they win or not, as long as they play as hard as they can," he said.

Update: Two critical, one serious after crash in Harvard

From the Friday, Sept. 26, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Update: Two critical, one serious after crash in Harvard
HARVARD – Two youths are in critical condition and another is in serious condition after a single vehicle accident near Harvard on Thursday.

Sgt. Carolyn Hubbard with the McHenry County Sheriff's Department said Friday she didn't believe the injuries to the three were life-threatening. However, she did not have any updates on the youths' conditions.

Twenty-year-old Travis Repke was driving a 1999 Chevy van westbound Altenberg Road late Thursday afternoon, said Lt. Don Carlson. In the van were six family members, ranging from ages 6 to 17.

Around 5:22 p.m., the van struck a group of trees, according to a news release from the Harvard Fire Protection district.

Carlson said Repke told police he fell asleep at the wheel, which caused him to veer off the side of the road, cross over Shields Road and crash into the trees.

The impact of the crash was so much that at least two of the seven family members were ejected from the van, according to the release.

Harvard Fire was first at the scene, and requested three rescue helicopters for medical transport.

Flight for Life McHenry transported a nine-year-old male in critical condition to Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge. Medflight, from Madison, Wis., transported a 17-year-old male in critical condition to Rockford Memorial Hospital in Rockford. An 11-year-old female in serious condition also was transported to the Rockford hospital, by Lifestar from Loyola Medical Center, according to the release.

Repke, a 16-year-old male, a 13-year-old male, and a 6-year-old male were treated and released at the scene.

Carlson said the sheriff's department is still investigating the incident, but it did not appear drugs, alcohol or speeding were factors. No charges had been filed as of 10:30 p.m. Thursday night.

Harvard Fire was assisted by Harvard Police and crews from Hebron and the McHenry County Sheriff's Department. Fire and rescue crews from Marengo and Walworth, Wis., assisted with change of quarters.

– Diana Sroka

State trooper slightly injured in motorcycle crash

From the Thursday, Sept. 25, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

State trooper slightly injured in motorcycle crash
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

WOODSTOCK – A state trooper who lost control of his motorcycle while on patrol this afternoon has been released from the hospital.

Around 1 p.m., Trooper Joe Garcia lost control of his motorcycle as he traveled northbound on Route 47 near Route 176, in Woodstock, said Trooper Delila Huerta of the Illinois State Police.

"He lost control, then hit a mailbox, and then went into the ditch," Huerta said.

Before stopping, Garcia's motorcycle clipped the rear of a work van driven by a 66-year-old Richard R. Cianciarulo, of Island Lake.

Garcia, 26, suffered minor injuries and was transported to Centegra Hospital – Woodstock. He was released early this evening. Cianciarulo was uninjured, and didn't even realize his vehicle had been clipped, Huerta said.

Huerta said no citations have been issued, and Garcia was not intoxicated or impaired.

The scene was cleared by 2:15 p.m.

Load shifts, truck overturns in McHenry

From the Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Load shifts, truck overturns in McHenry
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

McHENRY – It took police and towing crews more than three hours to upright an overturned semi-truck this afternoon.

About 11:30 a.m. today, a semi-truck traveling westbound on Prime Parkway in McHenry overturned onto its left side when the driver attempted to make a right turn on Olle Larsson Way, said McHenry Deputy Police Chief Bill Brogan.

"His load shifted in the back of the truck and caused it to tip over," Brogan said.

The truck was carrying brake parts to be delivered to Affinia Group, a company in the industrial park, Brogan said.

The truck fell on the driver's side, and the front window broke. The driver, Tyrone Young, of Chicago, climbed out of the truck using an entry way behind the driver's seat.

Young, 50, refused medical treatment when rescue squads arrived. No bystanders were injured.

Young said he wasn't aware the load in the truck shifted while he was driving.

"We have no way of going inside and knowing how it's stacked," Young said. "I wasn't going that fast, and it just fell over."

Young was ticketed for failure to secure a load.

McHenry Police cleared the scene just after 3 p.m.

D-12 approves budget

From the Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

D-12 approves budget
DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – The District 12 school board approved a $27.8 million budget for the 2008-09 school year Tuesday.

The budget, which was approved unanimously by the six board members present at the meeting, includes an anticipated almost $300,000 in deficit spending.

"Our goal is to reduce this and come under that number," said Michael Wolf, board vice president.

At the meeting, Wolf noted that last year the district anticipated more than $560,000 in deficit spending, but spent just less than $300,000 in deficit spending.

While discussing the budget, board members emphasized the need for the district to invest in technology improvements throughout the district. Some computers in the district are still using Windows 98, Wolf said.

"Computer equipment needs to be updated and replaced," Wolf said. "We need to get away from some of these obsolete equipment."

The board also unanimously approved a motion to submit the district policy manual for review by Illinois Association of School Boards, or IASB.

The district will pay a one-time fee of $5,800 to have the district policy manual reviewed by ISAB consultants on a regular basis.

Board Secretary Thomas Low said using IASB would make the policy review process more efficient.

"We spend a lot of time manually updating it," Low said.

Superintendent Dan Johnson said in previous years, it was easier to keep policies up to date because "state law wasn't changing quite as rapidly."

He said it also had been the case that policies don't receive close review until the district reviews policies to address a specific incident, which sometimes is too late.

"By that time the ship has sailed," Johnson said.

Board members Scott Rowe, Jayne Thompson, Thomas Lowe, Melissa Tinsley, Michael Wolf, Gary Barla were present at the meeting. Tom Liston was absent.

D-12 board to vote on budget tonight

From the Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

D-12 board to vote on budget tonight
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – The District 12 school board will vote tonight on a proposed $27.8 million budget for the 2008-09 school year, a document which anticipates almost $300,000 in deficit spending.

The proposed budget includes more than $829,000 in administrative salaries, for which 4 percent increases were approved this summer. The increase boosted overall administrative costs about $31,000, excluding salaries for new business manager Dave Lawson and for Nancy Hurckes, who was promoted from a dean to an assistant principal.

Lawson, whose salary is $105,000, is earning $45,000 more than his predecessor. He works full-time versus Pat Bingman's part-time status prior to her departure. Hurckes will earn $85,704 in her new role.

Salaries include the teacher retirement system contribution of more than 9 percent. However, unlike many school districts, District 12 does not pay anything toward administrative TRS contributions, Lawson said.

The district budget also allots $2,243,414 for supplies and equipment, about $323,000 more than was budgeted for supplies and equipment for the 2007-08 school year, according to reports provided by the district.

"For supplies and equipment, the budget went up," Lawson said. "A pretty good chunk of that has to do with utility and fuel costs that continue to rise."

The cost for food services also has risen significantly, Lawson said.

He noted that last year the district spent about $290,000 more than initially budgeted for supplies and equipment, after experiencing significant energy cost increases.

"Diesel fuel, heating gas and electric went up last year," Lawson said. "The biggest increase was the diesel fuel. That went up probably $50,000 or $60,000 higher than was budgeted."

Although the district anticipates spending $300,000 more this year than its projected $27.4 million in revenues, money from positive fund balances will cover the gap. Lawson estimates that the district will end the year with $6.6 million in its coffers.

However, after outspending revenues each year for the past four years, the district will investigate cost-cutting measures, including keeping maintenance projects in-house, Lawson said.

Before the board votes on the proposed budget, the public can voice comments during the public hearing portion of tonight's meeting, which is at 7 p.m. at 2222 W. Church St., Johnsburg.

Top 2008-09 salaries are:
Superintendent: $136,774
Business Manager: $105,000
High School Principal: $108,680
Junior High Principal: $99,986
Bush School Principal: $101,901
Ringwood School Principal: $96,131
Student Services Director: $103,924
Note: Salaries include teacher retirement system contributions, which are not district-paid.
Source: District 12

100 years of worship

From the Monday, Sept. 22, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

100 years of worship
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

Ten pews from the altar, left side of the church.

That’s Kathleen Moehling’s spot at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Johnsburg. She’s sat there for weekend Mass for 70 years.

“My family had what they called ‘their pew,’ ” said Moehling, 70. “When I was a child, we always sat in the same place.”

Across McHenry County, Catholics such as Moehling are part of the growing Rockford Diocese that includes almost half a million Catholics. Since last year, the diocese has been celebrating the centennial of its founding by Pope Pius X, in 1908.

While the population of the Chicago Archdiocese has dwindled slightly during the past 25 years, Catholic populations in neighboring dioceses in Rockford and Joliet are booming as the collar counties have expanded.

To celebrate the closing of its centennial year, there will be a special Mass on Tuesday at the Cathedral of St. Peter in Rockford. Attendance will be limited to ticket holders from parishes within the diocese.

For many area Catholics, the centennial celebration has prompted reflection on their personal experience of being a Catholic in the Rockford Diocese.

“Years ago, the Mass was in Latin and the priest wasn’t facing the people,” said Mary Ann Sharp, 74, of McHenry.

Sharp has been a parishioner of St. Patrick Church in McHenry her entire life. It’s where she experienced the changes of Vatican II that allowed Mass to be said in English, and the priests to face the congregation at Mass. St. Patrick is the place she’s celebrated major life milestones.

“All my children were baptized at St. Pat’s and married at St. Pat’s. My husband is buried at St. Pat’s,” she said. “I never would think about going to another church.”

St. Patrick Church, founded in 1840, is among the oldest in the diocese. But not all area Catholics attend a parish as historic as St. Patrick.

Church of the Holy Apostles, just a few miles away from St. Patrick, will turn 19 years old this month. The church was founded in 1989 when the county saw a population boom.

Between 1980 and 1990, population in McHenry County grew by about 24 percent, to 183,241, according to the McHenry County Clerk’s office. In the city of McHenry alone, the number of residents climbed from 10,908 in 1980 to 16,177 in 1990, said Cathy Kunzer, McHenry deputy clerk.

The population growth meant an influx of Catholics. McHenry’s two existing churches, St. Patrick and St. Mary, would not be enough.

“There were signs that new developments were going to be taking place in the McHenry city area,” said the Rev. Robert Sherry, founding pastor of Holy Apostles. “One day I was told go start a parish.”

Holy Apostles is home to more than 2,709 registered families.

That number had been steadily climbing until recently, when the housing market slowed, Sherry said. But new parishioners still are trickling in, many from Chicago or the near suburbs.

“People who are retiring want to get away from the congestion,” Sherry said. Other new parishioners are young couples hoping to raise a family in McHenry County.

That’s what prompted Irene Pasminski and her husband, Andrew, to move from the northwest suburbs to Harvard.

“We wanted to live in the country,” said Pasminski, 53. “I thought it would be a more wholesome place.”

Pasminski grew up on the northwest side of Chicago, attending Catholic school around the time of Vatican II. She remembered her young Catholic experience as more strict and structured.

“It was pretty much pay, pray and obey,” Pasminski said. “Church was a place of piety and mystery.”

She said after Vatican II, church was turned “upside down.” But that wasn’t the only dramatic change she would experience as a Catholic; moving to Harvard as an adult also meant a new church environment.

She brought her family to St. Joseph Church in Harvard, a smaller parish of about 535 families. She immediately noticed a difference from the large Chicago churches that she was accustomed.

“There’s a lot more opportunity for participation,” she said. It's a different atmosphere, but “the theology stays the same,” Pasminski said.

That sentiment about the Catholic Church spans not only distance, but time, say longtime Catholics.

“I don’t think the Church has changed that much,” Moehling said. “How the schools are run has changed somewhat ... but the religion, really isn’t that much different.”

Ringwood students enjoy fresh produce

From the Sunday, Sept. 21, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Ringwood students enjoy fresh produce
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

RINGWOOD – Every day, Denise Egebrecht tries to include a fresh fruit or vegetable in the lunches she packs for her daughter, Jacqueline, a second-grader at Ringwood Elementary School.

But with the help of a federal grant awarded to the school, Egebrecht isn't the only one encouraging her daughter to practice healthy eating.

The school was awarded $30,000 as part of the federally funded Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Program. The grant is intended to make fresh produce available to students at any time throughout the school day.

Ringwood School Primary Center is the only school in McHenry County to receive the grant, and one of 25 schools statewide.

Since the start of the school year, Ringwood's 600 pre-school through second-grade students have been treated to a free fresh fruit or vegetable snack every day.

"We're making them aware of what they're putting in their bodies," said Anna Wolk, kitchen manager. "I think we're going to see this generation grow up and have better health."

Wolk said that as she's coordinated the school lunch program, she's often wished she could do more than just tell students to eat better. She already leads nutrition-oriented activities but wanted to do more. This grant was an opportunity to do just that, she said.

"We gotta do more than just lip service," she said.

Every day, a designated student representative brings a shopping basket to the kitchen to pick up the healthy snacks. The snacks range from carrots and celery to bananas and apples. Students also can pick up fresh produce at any time of the day from a cart near the front office and a bistro set in one of the hallways.

Ringwood Elementary Principal Cathy Neiss said that beyond helping students eat healthier, the program has positively affected student behavior and cooperation.

"Lots of things we didn't' think of have come up," Neiss said. She said teachers have used the program to integrate other lessons into their classrooms, such as where apples come from.

About 17 percent of children are overweight, according to a study published in 2006 by the American Medical Association. That number has steadily increased over the years, and is mirrored by a growing number of overweight parents.

Wolk said she hoped healthy eating lessons students learn would travel home, too.

"If you make kids think out of the box, they'll go home and discuss it," she said.

So far, parents have given the program positive reviews.

"We're really happy about it," Egebrecht said. "[Jacqueline] likes it a lot."

Shades of Autumn starts this weekend

From the Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Shades of Autumn starts this weekend
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwnewsgroup.com

JOHNSBURG – As summer sandals go back into the closet and sweaters are worn again, there's sure to be nostalgia for a sip of warm apple cider or a hayride.

To usher in the cooling temperatures and all that is celebrated about the fall season, the public is invited to Shades of Autumn, an annual festival hosted by Stade’s Farm and Market, 3709 Miller Road, Johnsburg.

The six-week festival starts at 10 a.m. Saturday and continues every weekend until Oct. 26.

Saturday's festivities kick off with a classic car and truck show, swap meet, craft show, petting zoo, corn maze and other attractions. Throughout the day, there also will be live oldies and rock 'n' roll music and plenty to eat.

"We'll have lots of home-cooked food," owner Vern Stade said. "We have homemade apple-cider donuts and home-cooked apple pies."

Among the most popular attractions will be a 40-foot long, air-powered cannon that shoots pumpkins up to 2,000 feet. Especially for children, there will rides on a combine, styled after Frank from the movie "Cars." There also will be 30 acres of pumpkins for picking, hayrides, and a giant sandbox filled with corn in which children can play.

"It's all country atmosphere, and unique country attractions," Stade said. "And the crop is looking really excellent this year."

Last year, between 20,000 and 25,000 people came to the festival.

No pre-registration is required for the swap meet or craft fair.

For information, visit shadesofautumn.net, stadesfarmandmarket.com or call 815-675-6396.

If you go
What: Shades of Autumn at Stade’s Farm.
When: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 26.
Where: Stade’s Farm and Market, 3709 Miller Road, Johnsburg.
Cost: Admission and parking is free. Food, beverages and corn are available to buy. Varying fees charged for hay ride, other attractions.

Driver who struck school bus charged

From the Friday, Sept. 19, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Driver who struck school bus charged

SPRING GROVE – Charges have been filed against the driver of an SUV that hit two vehicles and a school bus transporting 41 Richmond Grade School students Wednesday.

Erik Rangel, 19, of 1621 Brentwood Drive, Round Lake Beach, allegedly drove his SUV into a Corvette and a Chevrolet van about 4 p.m. at Route 173 and Breezy Lawn Road before striking a school bus, Spring Grove Police Chief Tom Sanders said.

After allegedly striking the school bus, Rangel drove away from the scene, Sanders said. A witness to the incident followed Rangel until Round Lake Beach police stopped him.

Rangel was charged with driving under the influence, leaving the scene of a personal injury accident, driving without insurance, failure to reduce speed to avoid an accident and failure to give aid, Sanders said.

The driver of the Corvette was taken to Centegra Hospital – McHenry by Spring Grove ambulance, Spring Grove Fire Battalion Chief Bob Stevens said. None of the 41 children on the Richmond Grade School bus were injured, and the bus sustained very minor damage.

Sanders said more severe charges were pending.

– Diana Sroka

Village fires back at sewer project critics

From the Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Village fires back at sewer project critics
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – As the legal battle over a $10 million Johnsburg sewer project looms, both sides are taking the debate to the court of public opinion.

Opponents to SSA 23, a special taxing district to fund the village sewer project, circulated a letter to residents reiterating their position against the project last month. In response, the Johnsburg village board mailed a rebuttal last week, refuting opponents’ statements, line by line.

“It’s important that everyone in the village have the right information,” said Trustee Harry May. “There were a couple items in the coalition’s distribution that were not accurate.”

Opponents of the project, who formed the Coalition Against SSA No. 23, distributed 600 copies of their two-page statement to residents within and near the SSA boundaries in August.

In the statement, Coalition President Ron Zanko accused village president David Dominguez of “present[ing] a sky is falling scenario” for residents who use septic systems.

That line was among seven refuted by village officials in their five-page response.

Director of Village Operations Claudett Peters said 2,400 copies of the response letter were mailed to all Johnsburg residents and businesses. The mailing included a copy of the coalition’s statements and the packet distributed to residents when the project was proposed last year. The mailing cost $6,500, Peters said.

Ron Zanko, head of the coalition, said he wasn’t offended by the village’s response.

“In one respect it was good to me, because they sent mine along,” Zanko said. “It was free-mailing for me.”

The coalition's August letter stated village attorney fees are "approaching $100,000." The village's response states the village has "expended approximately $70,000 in legal fees."

The coalition's letter claimed the village said the sewer project would have "significant environmental and financial benefit to the community," and posed the question "Why isn't the entire community being asked to shoulder the cost?" In its letter, the village said "residents who will receive sewer service should be those who pay for the service."

Zanko says the coalition plans to circulate a response to the village's letter this weekend.

In June 2007, the Johnsburg Village Board proposed funding a sewer system project through a special service area, or SSA. Residents living within the boundaries of the SSA would pay either $14,800 up front or $21,600 in their property tax bills over the next 20 years to fund the project.

Residents filed a petition against the SSA in August 2007. The village disputed some signatures and deemed the petition invalid. In October, the village established the SSA. Residents opposing it formed a coalition and now are suing the village.

The trial is set for Sept. 30.

12 transported to hospitals after school bus crash

From the Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

12 transported to hospitals after school bus crash
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

SPRING GROVE – Emergency crews from five area departments responded late this morning to a crash involving two school buses at the intersection of May Lane and Route 12 in Spring Grove.

At least 12 people, including students and adults, from Round Lake schools were transported to Centegra Hospital - McHenry and Centegra Hospital - Woodstock.

"There were three buses traveling together westbound on Route 12," Spring Grove Police Chief Tom Sanders said.

In front of the first bus was a car attempting to make a left turn onto May Lane. The driver of that car allegedly did not have a turn signal light on, Sanders said.

The first bus veered around the car. The driver of the second bus braked hard and the third bus struck the second, Sanders said.

He added 50 to 55 people were on each bus.

The driver of the car left the scene, Sanders said. No charges had been filed in connection with the crash as of noon today.

Spring Grove, Antioch, Fox Lake, Richmond Township and McHenry Township ambulances responded to the scene, which was cleared by 11:50 a.m.

The crash involved Round Lake Area School No. 116 buses.

Ex-SG principal pleads guilty to sex charge

From the Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Ex-SG principal pleads guilty to sex charge
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

MILWAUKEE – A Milwaukee County prosecutor has agreed to seek a 1 1/2-year prison sentence for former Spring Grove School principal Daniel Markofski, who pleaded guilty Tuesday to committing a sex act with a 16-year-old girl.

Markofski, 47, appeared in Milwaukee County Court to plead guilty to two felony counts of exposing a child to harmful material and a misdemeanor for committing a sex act with a child 16 or older.

Markofski was charged in April, after police said they found him watching pornography with two teenage girls at a Super-8 Motel in Glendale, Wis. The girls, now ages 16 and 17, were in various states of undress, according to police reports.

The charges carry a maximum penalty of seven years and nine months in prison. However, his guilty plea is part of a bargain with prosecutors, who agreed to ask a judge to sentence him to one and a half years in prison and undergo one and a half years of extended supervision, “in exchange for taking responsibility,” said Chris Quinn, assistant district attorney.

“When courts determine the sentence, they have to determine the nature of the offense, the character of the offender and the need to protect the the community,” Quinn said.

Markofski’s sentence is now up to Judge John Franke, who presided over court Tuesday. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 29.

After Markofski completes his sentence, he will be required to register as a sex offender for the next 15 years, Quinn said.

Markofski was removed from his post as principal at Spring Grove Elementary after his arrest in April. After the incident, Nippersink District 2 officials denied Markofski’s resignation request and fired him.

In June, the district school board tightened hiring policies by requiring new employees in the district to pass a mandatory drug test. When police discovered Markofski and the two girls, they were investigating a marijuana odor coming from their motel room.

School officials were aware of Markofski’s guilty plea Tuesday, but declined to comment on his decision to forgo jury trial and accept a plea bargain.

“That’s between him and the courts,” District 2 Superintendent Dan Oest said. “He had to wrestle with that decision. That wasn’t anything related to the district.”

Parents had mixed reactions to news of the plea bargain.

“I would hope rather than a jail sentence he would seek professional help,” said Donna Jensen, a mother of a third-grade student at Spring Grove Elementary. “It’s whether he learns his lesson or not.”

Karen Barnes, a mother of two Nippersink Middle School students who previously had attended Spring Grove Elementary, expressed surprise over the short sentence to be requested by prosecutors.

“That’s it? I think that stinks,” Barnes said. “He should be in there for a long time."

Skateboard clinics to raise money for SG skate park

From the Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, edition of the Northwest Herald:

Skateboard clinics to raise money for SG skate park
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

SPRING GROVE – If your skateboard moves could use some work, you’ll want to stop by Worky’s Extreme Sports on Saturday.

The Spring Grove sport shop and village of Spring Grove will co-host a youth skateboard clinic from noon to 5 p.m. at 2020 N. Route 12 in hopes of raising money to build a skate park in town.

“We want to realize the vision we’ve had here for a couple years ... to build a skatepark,” said Craig Workinger, Worky’s owner. “That’ll be something we’ll be proud of, [and the children] are going to use.”

The village has wanted to build a skate park at Thelen Park for more than a year, but it hasn’t been able to because of the cost, said Bonnie DeGroot, events coordinator.

“We’d like to get it in there as soon as possible,” she said. “However, our budget funding is prohibiting doing it right away.”

Workinger said building the park would cost between $70,000 to $200,000.

Village officials hope that the park can be built next year, and they already have toured local skateparks to determine which type of park should be built.

“It’s going to be a meandering park that goes around the trees and fits the park atmosphere,” DeGroot said. “It’s just a matter of getting the funding going.”

Proceeds from Saturday’s event will go toward the cost of building the park.

The skate clinic will be led by Onus Skateboards and will cost $5 for participants. All participants must sign a waiver, and children younger than 18 must have parental permission.

There also will be roasted corn from Stade’s Farm and Market in Johnsburg and a pig roast from Billy’s Beef Hot Dogs and More in Spring Grove.

Tickets for the pig and corn roast are $20 for adults and $10 for children younger than 10.

In addition, the event will feature live music, a silent auction and a raffle.

For information, call 815-675-2923.

Blue Chip Regatta starts tonight

From the Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, edition of the Northwest Herald:

Blue Chip Regatta starts tonight
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – By Friday evening, the southwest shore of Pistakee Lake will be flooded with more than 22 sail boats in town for the 49th annual C Scow Blue Chip Regatta, hosted by the Pistakee Yacht Club.

The three-day event will include a dinner and two days of regionally known sailors competing on Pistakee Lake, event organizer Michael Morgan said.

“It’s showcasing the top sailors of the C fleet,” Morgan said. “It’s attracting the best of the best to come and sail at Pistakee.”

The event kicks off this evening with a pork chop dinner at the Pistakee Yacht Club, 3300 Rocky Beach Road, in Johnsburg. As sailors arrive at the club tonight, they’ll also learn the identity of this year’s mystery guest.

The mystery guest usually is a nationally known sailor, possibly an Olympic sailor, Morgan said. The guest will get to participate in the races Saturday and Sunday.

The first race starts at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Organizers hope to have either three or four races throughout the day.

“It’s all dependent on the wind,” Morgan said.

The races will follow an approximately 3.5-mile course on Pistakee Lake, on the north side of Coon Island. Each boat will have two or three sailors, dependent on the wind. People can watch the races from the shore or a spectator boat, he said.

Saturday’s events also include a pasta dinner, which is open to the public.

The event will continue at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. Organizers hope to have two races Sunday.

McHenry County authorities will patrol the water during the regatta so boaters don’t get in the way, but Morgan encouraged boaters to come and watch from the water.

“Private people on their boats are more than welcome to see the race,” he said.

Volo commission OKs compost facility permit

From the Friday, Sept. 12, 2008, edition of the Northwest Herald:

Volo commission OKs compost facility permit
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

VOLO – The Volo Planning Commission gave its stamp of approval Thursday night to a local landscape company seeking a permit for a waste compost facility and transfer station.

The commission had been mulling whether to recommend Perricone Brothers Landscaping in Volo for the permit since mid-July. When the permit request was publicized, nearby Lakemoor residents alleged that granting the permit would allow “excessive noise, noxious odors, [and] potential ground water pollution,” according to a statement from residents who opposed the permit.

But after discussing the issue for the fourth time Thursday, the commission voted, 6-1, to recommend that the Village Board grant the permit.

“Everyone who had something to say had an opportunity to voice it,” said Betty Wertke, commission chairwoman.

All commission members were present at the meeting. Members Stephen Henley, Naomi Wick, Theresa Arpino, Betsy Connell, Michael DeLillo and Wayne Willis voted in favor of granting the permit, provided that the company adhere to 13 conditions. Commission member Edward Locke voted against recommending the permit be granted. Before the vote, Locke expressed doubt that the smell from the grass clippings could be contained.

“If it isn’t taken care of each and every day you are going to have an odor,” Locke said.

But one of the owners of Perricone Brothers, Mario Perricone, assured the commission that there would be no smell.

“It’s grass clippings and branches. It’s not branch clippings and cow manure,” Perricone said. He said clippings would be recycled within 24-hours.

More than 25 people, including Lakemoor Village President Virginia Povidas, attended the meeting. After the meeting, Povidas said she was pleased with how the commission handled the issue.

"The board did a very thorough job," she said.

Perricone said he was pleased with the outcome of the meeting, although it required scaling down his original request.

"I think everybody got what they're looking for," Perricone said. "It's a good thing, because it'll help the area."

The request has now moved to the Volo Village Board, who will review the matter and decide whether the permit ultimately will be granted.

Richmond Township Board approves salary increases for supervisor

From the Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008, edition of the Northwest Herald:

Richmond Township Board approves salary increases for supervisor
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

RICHMOND -- The Richmond Township Board approved salary increases Wednesday night that will raise the township supervisor’s pay by $10,000 after the spring 2009 election.

The township supervisor’s annual salary will be $20,000 in April 2009, and increase by $2,000 each year in the three years that follow. The board also approved raises for highway commissioner, assessor and clerk.

Despite criticism from one township trustee, Richmond Township Supervisor Tamara Valentine-Garza said the raise for her position was appropriate.

“The job itself takes about 40 hours a week,” she said. “If you take all my hours, it’s about $2 an hour.”

The highway commissioner’s salary will increase from $46,081 to $48,000 next April. Like the supervisor’s salary, the highway commissioner’s salary will increase by $2,000 years each year in the three years that follow.

The assessor’s salary will increase from $35,259 to $40,000 next April, and increase by $2,000 each year in the three years that follow.

The salary for the clerk, which is a part-time position, will increase from $5,193 to $5,200 next April. Each year, in the three years that follow, the clerk’s salary will increase by $100.

The annual salary for the four township trustees will remain at $1,200.

Valentine-Garza and Trustees Delmer Olsen, Susan Cherry and Jean Schenk all voted in favor of the raises. Trustee Adam Metz voted against the raises.

“I don’t know where the money is going to come from,” Metz said after the meeting. “If we had the money, I wouldn’t have a problem with that, but we don’t.”

Metz said he might run for the supervisor position in April.

Cherry voted in favor of the salary increases. She said the township’s leadership had earned it.

“I see the amount of hours that they put in and what a positive direction the township is moving in,” she said.

From the Thursday, Sept. 11, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Waste facility permit disputed
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

VOLO – Village officials blame a misunderstanding for a dispute between Lakemoor and Volo over a permit request from a local landscaping business.

Since mid-July, the Volo Plan Commission has been mulling whether to grant Perricone Brothers Landscaping in Volo a permit for a landscape waste transfer facility. The commission hadn’t been able to make a decision because of an uproar from neighboring Lakemoor residents, who allege that the facility would negatively impact a nearby subdivision.

“There seems to be a lot of rumors going around, things that aren’t true,” said Betty Wertke, commission chairwoman.

Lakemoor residents in the Pines of Lakemoor subdivision think that granting the permit to the landscaping company will cause “excessive noise, noxious odors, [and] potential ground water pollution” and also harm property values, according to a statement from residents who oppose granting the permit.

But Perricone Brothers owners insist that’s not what the permit is seeking.

“We’re not looking to build anything,” Mario Perricone said. “[It’s] mostly just recycling of grass clippings. We’re going green.”

Perricone said his landscaping business had been recycling grass clippings for 13 years without a permit and wasn’t aware that a permit was required until Lake County officials notified the company of a complaint. So the company sought the permit from Volo to continue doing what they had been doing.

But even Lakemoor village officials insisted that granting the permit would harm Lakemoor residents and have zero impact on Volo residents.

“Its surrounded by and near [Lakemoor] residents,” Lakemoor Village Clerk Phyllis Odarczenko said. “None of the Volo residents are close to it.”

The Lakemoor Village Board unanimously passed a resolution against the permit in July. Residents opposed to the permit even sent letters to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Volo officials said the reaction was overblown and hypocritical.

“I don’t know how they can voice complaints when they put an asphalt plant blowing right into Volo,” Wertke said.

Johnsburg student suspended after threat

From the Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Johnsburg student suspended after threat
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – A Johnsburg Junior High student has been suspended after a threatening message was discovered Wednesday on a school bathroom wall.

School officials would not release the student’s name but confirmed that the student had been suspended and possibly faced more severe consequences such as expulsion or criminal charges.

“There’s a possibility for that,” District 12 Superintendent Dan Johnson said. “This type of behavior will not be tolerated.”

The message was discovered about 1:45 p.m., according to a statement released by District 12. The school’s nearly 1,500 students were supervised as police investigated the building until 3 p.m. Officials would not disclose what the message said.

Wednesday’s incident prompted the second lockdown of the school year.

Officials discovered a similar message on a bathroom wall Aug. 22, causing the school to be locked down and students held beyond dismissal time.

Johnson said school authorities were working with the Johnsburg Police Department to determine whether the two incidents were related.

“[We] don’t know if it’s connected to the first one,” he said. “We’re looking at all angles to see if it’s connected.”

Charges have not been filed against the suspended student or any other students yet, Police Chief Ken Rydberg said, but police will meet with that student and possibly others soon.

“We’re just waiting for an opportunity to speak with some of these kids now,” Rydberg said.

In the meantime, school officials hope that their handling of the situations demonstrates that the incident is more serious than a typical prank.

“We are going to create a safe environment for you,” Johnson said. “That’s our No. 1 priority.”

Board discusses enrollment drop

From the Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Board discusses enrollment drop
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – The start of the 2008-09 school year brought the steepest enrollment decrease in District 12 schools in five years.

According to district statistics, 93 fewer students are enrolled for the 2008-09 school year than were enrolled during the 2007-08 school year.

“We believe it’s because of the economic crisis,” Superintendent Dan Johnson said. “The new homes aren’t going up as fast as they previously projected.”

The district board discussed the enrollment drop at length at its Tuesday meeting. All board members were present at the meeting.

The district generates enrollment projections each year based on home growth and the live birth rate in the area. Last year’s projections estimated an enrollment drop of 33, which was 60 students shy of the enrollment numbers this year, Johnson said.

Compared to the number of students enrolled during the 2007-08 school year, enrollment at Bush Elementary School dropped by eight students. Enrollment at Johnsburg High School dropped by 21 students, and enrollment dropped by 26 students at Ringwood School Primary Center. The largest enrollment dip was at Johnsburg Junior High School, where 38 fewer students are enrolled this year, compared to last year.

District officials were most shocked by the drop in the number of kindergarten students, which went from 150 students during the 2007-08 year to 129 for this school year.

“Our immediate reaction was ‘St. Johns must have opened up another section [of kindergarten],’ ” Johnson said at the meeting.

The enrollment drop means District 12 also might see a drop in funding for the 2009-10 school year. Johnson said the district won’t know how much of an effect the drop will have on finances until December, when equalized assessed values of properties are determined.

In the meantime, district officials suspect the primary cause of the drop is home foreclosures. They said it was likely that families were moving out of the district and into less expensive areas such as McHenry or Lake County schools.

“A lot of the families I talked to went to McHenry or Fox Lake,” Dave Lawson, the district business manager, said.

However, there is an upside to the drop.

“Class sizes are beautiful,” Cathy Neiss, principal of Ringwood Primary, said.

The smaller class sizes allow teachers to pay more individual attention to students and differentiate their instruction methods, Johnson said. However, he said he would continue to investigate the number of home foreclosures and how that might have affected the district.

He hopes to have exact figures by October.

Johnsburg festival shakes routines

From the Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Johnsburg festival shakes routines
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – Saturday night at Johnsburg’s Saufen und Spiel festival was like a big neighborhood block party.

“You always meet somebody you know,” McHenry resident Judy Jonas said.

Familiar faces and out-of-town visitors flooded the Johnsburg Community Club at the 37th annual festival Saturday.

For 61-year-old Jonas, the festival is an annual affair she enjoys with her mother, Joyce Mohr of Johnsburg. But others found the festival a refreshing change to their summer routines.

“We drove by it a lot and never stopped,” said Keith Justen of Spring Grove. “So this time we decided to come by.”

Justen hadn’t been to the festival in about 30 years, and he and his wife, Heather, thought it would be a good experience for their young family.

“[We wanted] to get these guys in the atmosphere,” they said, pointing to their 8-month-old son, Parker; 3-year-old daughter, Madison; and 15-year-old daughter, Allie.

The park was filled with people snacking on ears of roasted corn and tapping their feet to music. Other residents gathered around a makeshift bar, chatting and snacking on peanuts.

For Townsend and Vickie Barlow of Round Lake Park the main attraction was the Jim Barret Banjo Band.

“He likes to play the banjo,” Vickie Barlow said as her husband kept an attentive ear to the music.

The three-day festival concludes today.

The day kicks off with the annual parade at 12:30 p.m., which will follow a reverse route from previous years.

The 120-entry parade will end at the Johnsburg Community Club, 2315 Church Ave., where there will be plenty of food, games and live music.

Village alert system talks continue

From the Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Village alert system talks continue
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

SPRING GROVE – Village officials still are mulling whether they should implement a communitywide alert system to let residents know about weather emergencies.

The Safety Committee on Tuesday discussed the capabilities and effectiveness of the proposed system, which touts the ability to notify residents by phone, text or e-mail message within minutes. But committee members are skeptical that the system could reach residents quickly enough.

“I really question whether it’s an emergency service,” said Police Chief Tom Sanders, who attended the meeting.

The discussion initially was prompted after some residents complained that they did not hear emergency sirens during severe storms in June.

Sanders and committee Chairman Del Houghton both agreed that the proposed system seemed better suited for non-urgent messages, such as boil orders, as opposed to imminent threats, such as approaching storms.

Trustee Jim Anhalt suggested that one of the provider companies that had approached the village, Connect-CTY, prove its effectiveness by conducting a trial run.

“I’m interested in having CTY give 5,000 calls,” Anhalt said. “If they can’t handle it, they can’t handle it.”

Safety Committee member Ron Kopke also was present at the meeting. Committee member Pam Kerpec was absent.

Also discussed was how to reach residents who have multiple phone lines, mobile phones or who use their answering machines to screen calls, and whether residents in unincorporated areas near Spring Grove would be included in the alert system database.

Past cost estimates for an alert system have been about $6,200 annually.

Johnsburg gears up for weekend festival

From the Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Johnsburg gears up for weekend festival
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – If it’s been way too long since you last attended a cow-dropping contest, Sunday’s your chance.

Along with food, music and other activities, Johnsburg’s 37th annual Saufen und Spiel celebration will include its ever-popular cow drop raffle as part of the three-day festival.

“We have squares set up on the ground, and we let three cows loose,” event organizer Marty Palmer said. “Hopefully the cow will poop on your square.”

The festival kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday with a black light beanbag toss, plenty to eat, and live music by the Bony Knees until 11 p.m.

Things get cooking again at 5 p.m. Saturday with Banjo Beer Night, hosted by the Johnsburg Lions Club. Again, there’ll be food and live music, this time by two live bands: the Jim Barret Banjo Band and Margarita Island Band.

On Sunday, residents will line the streets for the annual parade, which starts at 12:30 p.m. and lasts about an hour. There will be about 120 entries in the parade, which will follow a different route from previous years.

“We actually reversed the route for safety reasons, to get people off Spring Grove Road,” Palmer said.

The parade will begin at the Johnsburg Junior High and head east on Church Street to Johnsburg Road, where it will head southwest on Johnsburg Road through town to Spring Grove Road. There, participants will head north to Church Street and then east on Church Street to the community club.

After the parade, residents will gather at the community club for food, games and live music by Dr. Rhythm and the Rockers. A German band will perform polka music inside the community club. And, of course, the cow-drop raffle is at 4 p.m.

Palmer said that Friday and Saturday’s activities usually attract adults, but Sunday is family-oriented.

“Everybody comes out,” Palmer said. “It’s a small-town atmosphere.”

If you go
What: 37th annual Saufen und Spiel festival.
Where: Johnsburg Community Club, 2315 Church Ave., Johnsburg.
When: 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to late afternoon Sunday.

Johnsburg gears up for weekend festival

From the Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Johnsburg gears up for weekend festival
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

JOHNSBURG – If it’s been way too long since you last attended a cow-dropping contest, Sunday’s your chance.

Along with food, music and other activities, Johnsburg’s 37th annual Saufen und Spiel celebration will include its ever-popular cow drop raffle as part of the three-day festival.

“We have squares set up on the ground, and we let three cows loose,” event organizer Marty Palmer said. “Hopefully the cow will poop on your square.”

The festival kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday with a black light beanbag toss, plenty to eat, and live music by the Bony Knees until 11 p.m.

Things get cooking again at 5 p.m. Saturday with Banjo Beer Night, hosted by the Johnsburg Lions Club. Again, there’ll be food and live music, this time by two live bands: the Jim Barret Banjo Band and Margarita Island Band.

On Sunday, residents will line the streets for the annual parade, which starts at 12:30 p.m. and lasts about an hour. There will be about 120 entries in the parade, which will follow a different route from previous years.

“We actually reversed the route for safety reasons, to get people off Spring Grove Road,” Palmer said.

The parade will begin at the Johnsburg Junior High and head east on Church Street to Johnsburg Road, where it will head southwest on Johnsburg Road through town to Spring Grove Road. There, participants will head north to Church Street and then east on Church Street to the community club.

After the parade, residents will gather at the community club for food, games and live music by Dr. Rhythm and the Rockers. A German band will perform polka music inside the community club. And, of course, the cow-drop raffle is at 4 p.m.

Palmer said that Friday and Saturday’s activities usually attract adults, but Sunday is family-oriented.

“Everybody comes out,” Palmer said. “It’s a small-town atmosphere.”

If you go
What: 37th annual Saufen und Spiel festival.
Where: Johnsburg Community Club, 2315 Church Ave., Johnsburg.
When: 6 to 11 p.m. Friday, 5 to 11 p.m. Saturday, 12:30 p.m. to late afternoon Sunday.

Officials investigate late-night Woodstock house fire

From the Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Officials investigate late-night Woodstock house fire
WOODSTOCK – The investigation of a fire that destroyed a Woodstock home late Monday has been turned over to the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department.

Woodstock officials were not able to determine a cause or point of origin, Fire Chief Ralph Webster said, so the fire marshal and sheriff’s department will pick up where they left off.

“There was just such a large volume of fire,” Webster said.

Fire crews were called to the scene about 10:30 p.m. Monday and saw smoke coming from the two-story home at 2312 Mustang Trail. About 20 percent to 25 percent of the house was on fire when they arrived, including the first-floor kitchen, a second-floor bedroom, and the attic, Webster said.

The second floor collapsed, and the first floor ended up burning through to the basement, he said.

“We probably had it under control within 20 minutes, but spent two to three hours doing overhaul work, searching for hidden fires, and opening up the building to make sure we had the fire completely out,” Webster said.

The homeowners and their two children were not home when the fire started, he said.

Emergency crews also responded from Harvard, Hebron, Huntley, Marengo, McHenry Township, Richmond, Wauconda and Wonder Lake.

– Sarah Sutschek and Diana Sroka

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From the Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Woodstock blaze destroys shed, garage

WOODSTOCK – A shed and garage were destroyed in a blaze that caused an estimated $40,000 in damages Tuesday afternoon.

About 1:15 p.m., Woodstock firefighters responded a shed fire at 11517 Charles Road. Fire Chief Ralph Webster said the fire likely started when the property owners were burning landscape waste next to a shed.

The shed caught fire, and then the flames spread to a nearby garage, he said.

“By the time we arrived, [the fire] was threatening the house and a larger barn that was attached to the garage,” Webster said.

It took firefighters about 15 minutes to extinguish the fire, Webster said.

No one was injured.

Emergency crews also responded from Huntley, McHenry, Hebron, Richmond, Harvard, Wauconda and Marengo.

– Diana Sroka

Hatchery plans moving along smoothly

From the Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008 edition of the Northwest Herald:

Hatchery plans moving along smoothly
By DIANA SROKA - dsroka@nwherald.com

SPRING GROVE – Almost a year ago, the village bought a 51-acre, former fish hatchery with the hopes of creating cherished green space for the community.

The first set of renovations to the property, to be known as Hatchery Park, will be unveiled this week, and the community already is buzzing.

“My neighbor said, ‘My gosh, this is like the Central Park of Spring Grove,’ ” said Ron Erdmann, chairman of the committee overseeing the project.

Residents can visit the property from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday for Taste of Spring Grove.

There will be a wine tasting, crafts and games for kids, and a live band. Proceeds will benefit the restoration of the hatchery.

The facility was built in 1914, and was the first hatchery in the state. At one time, it supplied enough fish to restore all state waterways north of Springfield, an its natural cold water springs produced more than 300 gallons of water a minute.

But several years ago, the facility was closed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resource. Last year, Spring Grove bought the property from the state, and has been working to restore its novelty.

“It’s all going to be restored to the 1930s appearance as much as we can,” said Bonnie DeGroot, village events coordinator.

The two-story building on the property already had undergone a number of renovations, and ultimately will serve as an education center and museum, with guided tours and a video presentation of the fish hatchery process.

“We want folks to come in and see how game fish are produced,” Erdmann said.

A parking area has been created, so that people can visit the park for other recreational purposes.

Erdmann said the park would be ideal for walking, jogging, cross-country skiing, fishing and other outdoors activities.

For some, re-opening the hatchery will bring back memories of yesteryear.

“I remember as a kid in Girl Scouts going up there to see the fish hatchery,” said Nancy Fike, administrator of the McHenry County Historical Society museum.

Fike said the facility’s restoration would have a cultural affect on the community.

“Having a fish hatchery they can see was an original helps with the continuity of our lives,” she said. “Connections to our past bring stability.”

Others suspect that the facility will spur environmental awareness.

“If it attracts people, you can use it as a backdrop for educating people about the importance of clean water and clean ecosystems,” said John Epifanio, a scientist with the Illinois Natural History Survey. “Fish do best in healthy ecosystems. Sometimes they need a little bit of help.”

If you go
What: Taste of Spring Grove.
Where: Spring Grove Fish Hatchery, 2314 Hatchery Road, Spring Grove.
When: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
For information, call 815-675-2121.