May 13, 2020
Dear Village Resident,
I hope everyone is doing well during our COVID-19 restrictions. I have had requests to start up our economy by allowing our local business to open up. Unfortunately, I don’t, nor does the village board, have the power to override the Governor's Executive Order.

Currently, I have been working with the other mayors and County Board Chairman of McHenry County to open up earlier. As you might know, McHenry County is currently included in the Chicagoland region in the Governor's Restore Illinois Plan. The City of McHenry has put together a thoughtful, science-based document that respectfully requests that McHenry County be moved from Phase 2 to Phase 3 based on COVID-19 data and tracking. Currently we are grouped into the same zone as Cook County.

With the help of The City of McHenry and the County Board Chairman, Jack Franks, we have all joined in a petition to the governor to move to Phase 3 of the reopening with outlined restrictions. Time will tell, but hopefully we will have some good news. Please continue to shop and eat locally. I know you have been doing a great job, but our restaurants are reporting a 70% decline in overall business. They are very appreciative of your business, so please continue to support our local businesses.

I want to thank the artist or artists that have been making my day and many others' when out for a walk. These painted rocks and many more have been seen around the Pine Meadows subdivision and on the Winn Road walking path. Great work and thank you!
Welcome New Business!
Please help welcome Squeez Juice Bar to Spring Grove! Squeez Juice Bar specializes in cold pressed juices, Acai Bowls, and smoothies. Why is cold pressed juice better? Cold pressed juices are created using a hydraulic press with 4,000 lbs of pressure to extract the juice from a variety of fruits and vegetables. This method keeps more vitamins and minerals in your juice, resulting in a healthier you! Located at 2450 Route 12 in the Spring Creek Plaza. Phone 815-581-0027 or visit them here . During the COVID-19 pandemic, hours of operation are Monday & Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Tuesday - Friday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Spring Grove Teacher's Parade Today!
Teachers from Spring Grove Elementary will be driving through Spring Grove neighborhoods today, starting at 3:00 p.m. to visit their students from a safe distance. From their decorated cars, they will be honking their horns and waving to their students as they pass by their homes. If you appreciate our teachers, please don’t hesitate to smile and wave back! View the map with the route they will be taking through town starting at Spring Grove School then going in a circular route. The numbers on the map show the order in which they will be going. It could take up to 1.5 hours to complete and there is no way of knowing what time they will get to each area.
National Police Week
This week is National Police Week, which acknowledges our front-line and behind-the-scenes members who ensure public safety – every single day. Thank you to the Spring Grove Police Officers for all you do, especially during this difficult time.
S&R Heating & Cooling
During this time of the COVID-19 pandemic, S&R Heating & Cooling is still open for business! They have options to help fight this problem Air Purifiers iWave and UV Lights are both designed to help get rid of viruses, mold, bacteria, and other pathogens. Make the air in your home clean and safe! Let your HVAC System do the work for you, even when you are not home. Purchase either of them now and get a free furnace or A/C clean and check. Call them for details at 815-675-1747.
Photos of the Week

A pair of geese stopped for a little rest atop one of the silos at Thread & Gage Farm on Richardson Road on April 19 and the first calf of the season, a 65-lb bull calf from a first time momma cow, was born there on April 28 at 6:30 p.m. If you have a photo of Spring Grove you would like to share, email it here .
Hatchery Park News
Thank you to all who have been walking and fishing in Hatchery Park this spring. Not only are we experiencing a lot of human visitors, but the wildlife has awoken and is fun to see. Painted turtles love to sunbathe on fallen tree branches in the pond, so be sure to tread lightly and you might be able to see some. The northern water snake has been spotted, too. They are not poisonous but when agitated they may flatten their bodies and bite. So please stay clear and give them their space!
shopping_dog.jpg
Volunteers Want to Help
A group of volunteers would like to help our seniors, or other high-risk residents, by shopping for their groceries or other necessities. If you, or anyone you know, needs help, please contact them here .
Essential Businesses
open_door_hanger.jpg
Thank you for your continued support of Spring Grove essential businesses It is a tough time for our businesses, but with all our help we hope they can make it through. View our business directory and restaurant websites and phone numbers .
COVID-19 Information
Governor Pritzker said Illinois' projected peak in the COVID-19 pandemic now falls in mid-June, pushed back from the late April-early May projections that models had predicted last month. The IDPH is providing daily updates on their COVID-19 website regarding the metrics used to determine if a region is able to move to the next phase of the Governor’s “Restore Illinois” plan.
Don't forget, face masks or coverings must be worn in indoor public spaces or outdoor public spaces where a six-foot social distance can't be maintained.

If you're facing a mental health emergency, call Northwestern Medicine at 1-800-892-8900. If you have questions regarding available mental health and substance abuse resources in McHenry County, please call the McHenry County Mental Health Board at 815-455-2828. If you need help with food, utilities, rent, unemployment, business assistance or other vital issues, visit McHenry County's resource page to get the help you need.

If you have developed any of these symptoms consistent with COVID-19, consult your doctor, who will determine whether a test is necessary.

·      Loss or decrease in the sense of smell and taste
·      Fever – temperature of 100 or higher
·      Cough, Congestion or runny nose
·      Sore throat, Shortness of breath or Flu-like body aches

View current stats on McHenry County COVID-19 cases. If you have health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 800-889-3931 or email questions here . If you are symptom-free, take these steps to stay healthy .
Blast from the Past
One of Silas Pierce's violins was donated to the McHenry County Historical Museum in Union.
Silas Pierce's blacksmith and carpentry shop, on left, stood on Blivin Street. You can see the corner tavern at the right of the photo.
Silas Pierce was born here in 1849 and died here in 1939. He was a "skillful blacksmith and carpenter, and one of the substantial men of Spring Grove" according to the 1922 History of McHenry County. He had a small storefront at the edge of the sidewalk between 8007 & 8009 Blivin Street (seen above). He could make anything out of wood, and enjoyed crafting many violins. He also sharpened skates and repaired most anything. Silas entertained people in town with his fiddling skills as told in this 1926 account, " On Saturday evening about forty friends gathered at the movie hall and enjoyed a real old folks dance. The music was furnished by S.W. Pierce on his violin of which he made himself at his own shop. This instrument is sure a fine piece of work, and one he should be proud of." Silas was 77 years old at the time and died at age 89.
Other Quick Links