September 8, 2021
Dear Village Resident,
Protect yourself from identify theft and get ready for Document Destruction Day next Saturday, September 18, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. in the Municipal Centre parking lot. Located at 7401 Meyer Road. Read more information here.
Community Block Party
The first annual Spring Grove Community Block Party is next Saturday, September 18, from 1 - 5 p.m. at Horse Fair Park. The new Community Engagement Committee has organized the event with music, games, entertainment, food trucks, and more! View the flyer with more details here. Hope to see you there.
Cub Scout Recruitment this Friday
Cub Scout Pack 340 is hosting a registration and recruitment event at Horse Fair Park, located at 8105 Blivin Street from 6:30 -8:00 p.m., this Friday, September 10. Join them for a fun event featuring a variety of Cub Scouting activities including water rockets, fishing demonstration, pinewood derby track, gaga ball and more! Bring your whole family and invite friends to check out what Scouting is all about.
Recycling Event
The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County will be collecting fluorescent tubes for a cost of $0.50 to $1 each; clean Styrofoam; packing peanuts; reusable bubble wrap and cloth items (clothing, linens, rags, and shoes tied together by the laces). Other recyclables will also be accepted from 9 a.m. until noon this Saturday, Sept. 11, at Woodstock North High School, located at 3000 Raffel Road in Woodstock. Find more information here.
Photo of the Week
With roadwork beginning early on the morning of September 1 in Oak Valley Estates, the engineer from HR Green walked this student to the school bus as Monterra Drive was being removed. The crew working was very courteous and pleasant as they took everyone's garbage cans to the garbage truck as well. Photo and comments submitted by Gregory Strzalka. If you have a photo of Spring Grove you would like to share, email it here.
In Store Demo & Product Unveiling
Nature's Feed knows pet parents want more fresh food options. So they are very excited to announce A Pup Above - nutritious & high protein meals. A Pup Above uses 100% human-grade ingredients cooked in a USDA human food facility, offering farm to bowl transparency, cooked souse vide to enhance flavor & retain nutrients, with 72% more protein than other gently cooked brands. Stop by Nature's Feed on Thursday, September 9, from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. when the A Pup Above rep will be there to unveil this awesome new product! Plus, receive a FREE 1lb A Pup Above sample patty with any purchase of dog kibble! Valid September 9 - 30, 2021 while supplies last. Limit 1 offer per household. Other restrictions may apply. Located at 2440 Westward Drive.
Interview Days
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Adults and students 15 and older! If you missed the Richardson Adventure Farm interview days and wish to work at the farm, email info@richardsonfarm.com and include some information about yourself. Also, be sure to read their informational page and print and fill out the application.
Vehicle Stickers on Sale
2021-2022 vehicle stickers are on sale now. You should have received your form in the mail. Make corrections or updates directly on the form. Use the enclosed envelope to mail it with your payment, drop the envelope in the Municipal Centre drop-box, make a payment at the PD website here, or visit the PD window at 7401 Meyer Road. All vehicles kept in the Village, whether used or stored, must have a current sticker displayed prior to October 1.
Operation Warm: More Than a Coat
The Richmond-Spring Grove Area Rotary is again partnering with Operation Warm, a non-profit organization, to provide winter coats to families in need in the Richmond, Spring Grove and Hebron communities. Please read a letter to the community, and view the order form.
Mask Mandate and Vax Verify
Face Mask 2
All Illinois residents over the age of two are required to wear a mask in all indoor settings, effective Monday, August 3. The requirement is applicable to both vaccinated and unvaccinated residents statewide.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has launched Vax Verify, a new online portal that allows Illinois adults to check their COVID-19 vaccination record and confirm their vaccination status if needed. To find a vaccination location near you, please visit vaccines.gov.
Blast from the Past
The Complete Lotus Line
This little 1 3/4" x 2 3/4" sample packet still contains Lotus Complexion Powder, which was sent free on request.
Alice Cole died at age 15 in 1883, one of three of Anna's siblings who died before the death of their father, Franklin.
This pamphlet explained Anna's philosophy on beauty and culture and her love of "of the regal queen of lilies".
Spring Grove resident Anna (or Annie) Cole Baker was well-known for exhibiting her "lotus preparations" at the Lake County Fair. She was born in 1878, the fifth of seven children of Franklin Cole, one of the wealthiest farmers in this area. The Cole house still stands at 1202 Main Street. Anna was 17 when her father died suddenly in 1895. He left each of his remaining four children $5,189.60 (over $162,500 in today's dollars) and his wife double that, plus property, farm stock, and farm implements which they kept as the family continued run the farm.

Anna married a violinist named Ward Samuel Baker and had a daughter, Ellen, in 1907 when she was 28. Ward was the brother of Ethelyn Hatch, (wife of Fred Hatch) and spent most of his time studying in Europe so they soon divorced. Anna lived at 1003 Main Street.

Using her inheritance, she formed "The Lotus Improvement Company", a cosmetic and perfume business. As she explains in her pamphlet, The Lotus, "Pure and harmless cosmetics...are exceedingly difficult to obtain" and "prompted by her love [of the lotus], she...captured the delicate perfume [for] the basis of her line." The cosmetics were manufactured in the Kolar Laboratories, supervised by Gustav S. Kolar, PH. C., who specialized in the cosmetics branch of chemistry. The line included 18 "toilet requisites", including perfume, ($1 - one oz.,), face cream, bleaching cream, rouge, hair tonic and more. The packaging was notable for "artistic harmony" and ornamentation.

She opened a office in Chicago at 443 S. Dearborn Street and her store on North State Street was successful for a while. In 1916, it became apparent things would not work out. She became a nervous and physical wreck and was taken to the hospital. When they released her she spent the night at the Fort Dearborn Hotel. The next morning the hotel workers saw her leave with a small package under her arm. She walked to Lake Michigan, opened the package and loaded a new small caliber revolver. The first two shots made only superficial wounds, but the last one entered her heart.

Next week: The note she left and what happened to her daughter, Ellen.
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