Last night at a Special Village Board meeting, the Honorable McHenry County Circuit Judge David R. Gervais swore-in our newly elected officials: myself as Village President, and Village Trustees Pat Mazzanti, Bob McMahon, and Thomas Sanders. Judge Gervais also swore-in new Chief of Police Mike Niedzwiecki, Treasurer Charis Attermeier, who was appointed in January, new Board of Police Commissioner Keith Hogan, and new Police Pension Fund Board Member, Scott Olson.
I also presented a Resolution to Police Chief Tom Sanders upon his retirement after 14 years of service, a Resolution honoring Trustee Dr. Lloyd Simonson for the 5 years he served on the Planning and Zoning Commission, the 6 years he served as a Village Trustee, and the year he served on the Board of Police Commissioners, a Resolution of Appreciation for Keith Hogan for his 16 years of service on the Police Pension Board, a Resolution for Dr. Ron Erdmann for his 11 years of service on the Board of Police Commissioners and a Proclamation for Skip Vaszari for his12 years of service on the Board of Police Commissioners. The Village Board and I are deeply appreciative of the valuable time and service contributed by these individuals and for their loyal and faithful public service.
The rest of us are happy to continue our commitment to preserve and improve the quality of life in our community that we all hold dear and we thank you for putting us in your trust!
View photos from the meeting here.
Mark Eisenberg
Village President
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Mother's Day Gifts & Flowers |
The outdoor garden shop is open at Birds of Paradise gifts and flowers! Come see the locally grown, beautiful mixed hanging baskets, patio planters, succulent planters and fresh cut flower arrangements. Extended hours this week and open on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Located at 2404 Spring Ridge Drive or call 815-363-8568!
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RB Helmet Club Golf Outing |
The RB Helmet Club is holding a Golf Outing and Dinner/Fundraiser in support of the Richmond Burton Rockets Football Team on Friday, June 25 at the Fox Lake Country Club. View and download the registration with more information here and the Sponsorship Donation Form here!
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2021 Cheerleading Registration |
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Help Connect McHenry County |
The next McHenry County Connection public meeting will be held Wednesday, May 12 at 6:00 p.m. via Zoom. The input of our community is critical in the development of the plan and the recommendations their advisory committee puts forth regarding the new Trails Master Plan.
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Tulip Festival Update from the Richardsons |
We have had a very good turn-out for our first ever Tulip Festival and hope many of you have enjoyed the beautiful scene from along Richardson Road! To those of you who attended, thank you, we hope you had a wonderful time!
On Sunday, May 2, we had our largest attendance ever and got behind on parking. We realize the roads were congested with traffic coming to our farm and we apologize for any inconvenience that may have caused you. It took us by surprise but, rest assured, we are making adjustments and implementing new parking plans for the future to greatly improve our ability to get cars off the road and into our farm.
Thank you for understanding. Next up – our first Sunflower Festival coming in mid to late August!
Warm regards, The Richardson Families
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Property Tax Bills and Passport Processing |
Property tax bills will be mailed out on May 7. Taxpayers can pay through the drive-thru at the Treasurer's Office at 2100 N. Seminary Ave. in Woodstock during the hours of 7:15 a.m. - 5:15 p.m. weekdays, by mail or online through the Treasurer's website at www.mchenrytreasurer.org. Also, many banks will accept tax payments for their customers. Due dates for property tax installments are June 7 and Sept. 7.
The Treasurer's Office will also be reopened for in-person service and passport services starting May 24. Lobby hours will match the drive-thru hours.Passport processing will be handled by appointment only by calling 815-334-4619. If you have an emergency situation or need a passport processed before then, please contact the Federal Passport Office at 877-487-2778.
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Photo of the Week
Last weekend was field maintenance day for RBBA. This is their youngest volunteer to date! Tony Chobanov (T2) is only 4 years old but was doing a great job raking the infield at the Spring Grove Park Major League field. If you have a photo of Spring Grove you would like to share, email it here.
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Benefits of Raw Diet for Dogs & Cats |
Feeding your pets raw is exactly what it sounds like – raw pet food that has not been cooked. Replacing just 25% of your pet’s dry food with fresh pet food can make a significant difference in your pet’s health. Some benefits of feeding your pet a raw diet can include:
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Improved teeth & better breath (means little to no dental cleaning)
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Less shedding & better coat (less brushing and vacuuming)
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Less stools (less clean up and less smell)
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Better weight management (reduction in carbohydrates helps with weight)
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Cancer prevention (reduction of carbohydrates assists in cancer prevention)
Nature’s Feed carries a variety of raw food options. During the month of May you can save $3.00 on OC Raw Dog Patties. Stop by Nature’s Feed to learn more about feeding raw, see their raw diet selection for both cats & dogs, and save on OC Raw Dog. Located at 2440 Westward Drive.
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Mini Kickers for 3 & 4 Year-olds |
Mini kickers is a fun weekday morning skills camp that teaches basic soccer skills and develops strength, balance, coordination, listening skills and team work! Half hour practice and a 15-minute scrimmage Thursday mornings for five weeks at Oak Valley Park. Two Sessions available. View more information on page 4 of the Summer Recreation Guide Brochure link below. |
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2021 Summer Recreation Guide Brochure |
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Fun Learning with Your Dog at WAGs |
WI-IL Agility Group (WAG), has openings in these classes: Trick Dog and AKC STAR Puppy on Tuesdays, Canine Good Citizen on Wednesdays & Thursdays and Relationship Building for Better Behavior on Thursdays. The next session starts the week of May 2 for 8 weeks. For more info on these and other classes or to register, visit their website here. Like them on Facebook! Located at 2807 Rt. 12.
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COVID-19 Vaccine Walk-in Appointments now Available |
The MCDH is now accepting walk-in appointments at its sites in McHenry, Crystal Lake and Harvard. That's right - if you're in town, and they're not at full capacity, you can walk in and get a shot.
Did you get your first shot at another clinic, but failed to follow through and get the second? More good news - the MCDH will give it to you, regardless of where you received the first.
So what are you waiting for? Get vaccinated and let's reopen McHenry County and the rest of Illinois!
(Even though the MCDH is taking walk-ins, it's a good idea to make an appointment - you can make one for an MCDH clinic or other government-run vaccination site by visiting the state's vaccine registration page at https://covidvaccination.dph.illinois.gov.)
There are many other avenues to receive the vaccine besides MCDH clinics. You also can receive the vaccine through retail pharmacies - a list of participants, and their locations, is available by visiting http://coronavirus.illinois.gov, or the MCDH vaccine locator page at http://bit.ly/MCDHFindVaccine.
Approximately 79% of Illinois residents age 65 and older have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine and approximately 54% of residents 16 and older have also received at least one dose. As of April 30, more than 4 million Illinois residents have been fully vaccinated.
The Illinois Department of Health has FAQs regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. View information about getting tested here. View more information here.
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The CDC said this week that it's safe for fully vaccinated people to go outdoors without face coverings in many situations, with the exception of events with large crowds. Illinois will be updating their guidance to be in line with the CDC's new mask guidance. Previously Illinois required masks outdoors whenever people weren't able to maintain at least 6 feet of distance. The CDC guidelines say those who are at least two weeks past their final shot don't need to wear masks when attending small outdoor gatherings, even if unvaccinated people are also present.
Illinois should be moving into the Bridge Phase between Phases 4 and 5 of the Restore Illinois Plan; however, increasing cases and hospitalizations, combined with decreasing ICU bed availability has put those plans on indefinite hold.
If you have health questions, call the COVID-19 hotline at 800-889-3931 or email questions here.
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Blast from the Past - 7707 Blivin Street |
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The Karls family at 7707 Blivin Street. The old ice house can be seen in the distance. |
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John Karls was born in 1871 in Johnsburg. In 1898 he married Mary E. Adams. The next year they were living in Spring Grove and he was working as a carpenter when their first daughter Hildegard (Hilda) was born. Two years later their son Leo was born and John made a career change, purchasing the general store at 7709 Blivin Street and becoming a retail merchant. They lived next door at 7707 Blivin Street.
But tragically, on July 14, 1904, just four days after giving birth to their 3rd child, Angeline, Mary died after being in poor health for some time. Tragedy struck again two days later when little Angeline also died. Mary's grave in St. Peter's Cemetery was opened and the little one placed to rest in her mother's arms, this being Mary's last wish if that should happen.
The above photo shows John with his new wife, Anna Roos (Ross), and children Hilda and Leo. John and Anna went on to have six more children: Lilian, Eleanor, Clarence, Edmund, Regina & Charles. John converted the general store (below) to a tavern in 1921. Local lore says in was a speakeasy in the 1920s. It was in the family until 1978 and was a bar into the 1980s. John Karls lived until 1953 and Anna lived until 1966. Mary, Anna & John are buried in St. Peter's Cemetery.
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John Karls (center) at 7709 Blivin |
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