January 20, 2021
Dear Village Resident,
CALL TO ACTION - Future Bike and Walking Path Input

Hello Everyone,

This is an important request-for-action for Spring Grove to be included in future planning on pedestrian and bicycle trails in McHenry County. The McHenry County Council of Mayors, in partnership with the McHenry County Division of Transportation (McDOT), is conducting a pedestrian, bicycle, and trails master plan for McHenry County. The plan will take a comprehensive look at McHenry County's existing pedestrian and bicycle facilities and provide recommendations on how to improve the system for all users. This plan is going for public comment, then the committee will decide how to proceed in April. After the plan is designed and approved, the partners will proceed with funding options.

On Wednesday, January 27, at 7:00 p.m. we will have our first opportunity during a public comment meeting to let the committee know how important it is to include Spring Grove on their master plan. This meeting will be held via Zoom. It is important to have a good turnout and/or comments to convince the committee we have recreational, economic, and safety needs. If you can’t join the Zoom public comment meeting, please go to this link and fill out the "Stay Informed & Comment" section at the bottom, in support of Spring Grove. You can also registration for the Zoom meeting and take a survey which will be uploaded on Friday or Monday.

Here are some comment suggestions for new trails in Spring Grove:

  • Request a route from the Richmond Prairie Trail through Spring Grove to the Chain of Lakes State Park trail system. This route would allow thousands more people to use the trail, giving the Prairie Trail a new destination to the Chain of Lakes and vice versa, allowing many to have access to the whole trail system throughout McHenry County. The trail system could add economic opportunities for our businesses, and also create a safe route from Spring Grove to Richmond, the RBCHS High School, Nippersink Middle School and other destinations throughout McHenry County. 

  • Another new trail idea is to add a Richardson Road/Blivin Street trail to connect Route 173 to Route 12. This route would also help connect many subdivisions to our downtown area, adding economic growth and encouraging families and individuals healthy alternatives to get to restaurants, parks and school.

  • The Winn Road bike trail could be extended south along Spring Grove Road to connect to Spring Leaf Drive, which connects to five more southwest subdivisions.

  • A new trail on Clark Road from Route 173 to St. Moritz Drive could connect the northwest part of our community

I can’t tell you how important it is for us to participate in this public comment meeting, either in writing or on the Zoom call. Spring Grove is a smaller community; we have needs, but we need to speak louder in order to be heard.

More About the Plan
 
In the Fall of 2020, the McHenry County Council of Mayors, in partnership with McDOT, initiated the planning process for the McHenry County Connection Master Plan. The last time the County undertook a bicycle and pedestrian plan was in 1996. Since then the County has transformed dramatically and the bicycle and pedestrian needs have as well. The work that will be done over the course of the next year will be an important first step in better understanding the bicycle and pedestrian needs throughout McHenry County and will provide recommendations to improve the system.

The McHenry County Connection Master Plan will take a comprehensive approach with this planning process. The process will include developing a baseline of information on existing facilities including but not limited to trail facilities, bicycle paths, pedestrian facilities, the roadway network, the transit network, current land use, and points of interest. This effort will help guide the development of programmatic recommendations which will be included in the plan.

The programmatic recommendations within the plan will be community driven. An advisory committee was created and is made up of a diverse array of stakeholders throughout the county. This committee will assist in guiding the plan's development. Likewise, the recommendations will be guided by the input of county residents through extensive public engagement. (The input of the community will be critical in the development of the plan and its programmatic recommendations.)
 
I would greatly appreciate it if you could take some time to join us on Zoom or fill out the public comment section on this link.

Mark Eisenberg
Village President
Free Webinars Offered Private Well Owners
reusable-water-bottle.jpg
Thousands of McHenry County residents have private wells that supply water for them. While water that is publicly provided is held to regulated drinking water standards, private well owners are responsible for their own water quality. Therefore, it is vital to understand how your well systems work. Free online webinars are being offered to well owners to help them learn how well systems work, how to maintain wells, and how to ensure the water is safe. The Private Well Class webinar, Well Care 101 – What you Need to Know to Protect Your Family, will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20. Register here. View more upcoming webinars on private wells.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
It's important to regularly check your carbon monoxide detectors. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can build up in homes at this time of year. It's also important to get your furnace inspected annually. Signs and symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning may include dull headache, weakness, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath, confusion, blurred vision, and loss of consciousness. If you think you or someone you're with may have carbon monoxide poisoning, get into fresh air and seek emergency medical care. Read more...
COVID-19 Vaccine
shot_preparation.jpg
McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) is currently vaccinating the priority Phase 1A group which includes health care workers & staff and residents of long-term facilities. MCDH is preparing future COVID-19 clinics for those identified in Phase 1B and Phase 1C and encourage them to complete a COVID-19 vaccine enrollment form. After completing the enrollment form and once a clinic becomes available to each group, additional information on how to schedule an appointment will be directly emailed to those who complete the form. View more information here.
Photo of the Week
Betty White took this picture of three deer who came to visit from her front window in the Nottingham Woods Subdivision. If you have a photo of Spring Grove you would like to share, email it here.
Horse Fair Park Reservations
Residents can reserve Horse Fair Park starting today, January 20. Amenities include the indoor/outdoor pavilion with a refrigerator, freezer, oven, microwave, bar, picnic tables and an outdoor grill, port-a-potty, and volleyball & basketball courts with equipment. Non-residents can reserve the Park starting Monday, February 18. Rental fees are $200 for residents, businesses and organizations, and $380 for non-Spring Grove residents, businesses and organizations. View more info.
Nature's Logic Free In-Store Demo at Nature's Feed
Come out to Nature's Feed and meet Nature's Logic! They will be showcasing their new dog treats. The treats are being offered free when you buy one bag. The lesser item is free; one offer per household while supplies last. They will also be offering a free one lb. bag of Nature's Logic Distinction with the purchase of any canned dog food. Limit one offer per household, while supplies last! Nature's Feed is located at 2440 Westward Drive.
COVID-19 Update
Face Mask 2
McHenry and Lake counties, which make up IDPH Region 9, were allowed to advance to less restrictive Tier 2 mitigations for COVID-19. Simply put, indoor fitness and recreation can reopen at 25% capacity or 25 people (whichever is less), and meetings and events can resume with a maximum of 10 people. A complete list of Tier 2 restrictions can be found here.
 
Unfortunately, restrictions on bars and restaurants remain unchanged; however, indoor dining with capacity restrictions can resume under Tier 1 mitigation, and restrictions are further loosened once we enter Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, which two downstate regions have already reached.

McHenry County is currently vaccinating the priority Phase 1A group which includes health care workers & staff and residents of long-term facilities. MCDH is preparing for future COVID-19 clinics for those identified in Phase 1B and Phase 1C. Complete the enrollment form and once a clinic becomes available to each group, additional information on how to schedule an appointment will be directly emailed to you.

The Illinois Department of Health has FAQs regarding COVID-19 vaccinations. View information about getting tested here.

Anyone who develops loss of taste and smell and has a fever, cough or other respiratory symptoms might be coming down with COVID-19. That person should be tested as soon as possible and contact health professionals for next steps.

A map and information of the status of every Illinois county can be found on the IDPH website here. View a map of the United States and other countries to view potential risks associated with traveling. Areas with increased risk of COVID-19 are based on case rates.

If you have health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 800-889-3931 or email questions here.
Blast from the Past - Cole Family
Miles Fayette Hatch 1871
Miles Hatch and Tamar Richardson 1876
Miles F. Hatch & Tamar Richardson at Richardson family reunion in 1902 (2nd row 5th & 6th from left)
Miles Hatch was the grandson of Miles Cole and Sally Bixby, pioneers who settled in Burton Township in 1838. His parents were Mandana & Lewis Hatch. We learned last week that Lewis' journey to the California gold fields inspired Miles to go west himself many years later.

Miles was a member of the first graduation class of the University of Illinois at Champaign in 1872. His father had set his sons up as farmers, but seventeen years after his father returned from his western journey, Miles headed west to seek his own fortune, most likely with his father's blessing.

But before he left, he made a promise to his neighbor, housekeeper, and sweetheart, Tamar Richardson that he would send for her once he got settled. Tamar Richardson was named after her grandmother Tamar, who lived and died in Yorkshire, England. Her father was Robert Richardson, who homesteaded here in 1836.

True to his word, Miles sent for Tamar and on May 26, 1877, at the home of a San Francisco clergyman, they were married. Tamar's mother sent a family bible along with her daughter, thinking she may never see her again.

The newlyweds made their way to Tacoma, Washington, then Vashon and Maury Island in Puget Sound. Miles owned and operated a large sawmill (his father Lewis had a sawmill on the Nippersink Creek), the Peninsula Land Company, a cattle ranch and the Mileta Dairy (his cheeses and butter were of the highest grade in all of Tacoma). He gained experience for all these professions during his time growing up in Spring Grove, except for maybe one...a large prune orchard he started and the drying plant he designed, which became the most successful dryer on the coast.

Besides all those accomplishments, he and Tamar were were remembered fondly as great benefactors of their community and their gifts were many. Miles donated land and money for every school, church and public building on Maury Island. He was always able to find some work for anyone in need. Tamar was very involved in church and school activities, and "should have had the letters MD written after her name" as she was always on call day or night to aid the sick. As a State Legislator, Miles also passed laws to benefit all the residents of Washington.

Miles also founded the town of Burton, named after Burton Township, of course! Burton is a historic waterfront residential area on Vashon Island which sits at the isthmus between Vashon and Maury Island.

Miles and Tamar had one child, Lewis Miles Hatch. They later moved to Alderton, Washington, and spent the rest of their lives in Washington State. Miles died in 1919 and Tamar lived until 1926.

Over the years, contact between the Hatch family and the Richardson family ended...until 1984. That was when a letter was received from Washington wondering if there were any Richardsons left. The letter was sent from Miles B. Hatch, the 75-year old son of Lewis Miles Hatch, grandson of Miles F. Hatch, and great-grandson of Gold Rush Lewis Hatch. Miles B. was welcomed with open arms by the Richardsons on their farm.

Miles had a gold nugget on a chain, which was found by Lewis Hatch in the California gold fields around 1850. He brought an old family Bible to give to the Richardsons...the one Tamar left home with in 1877. In1902, Miles and Tamar came back for a visit and are surrounded by her family in the above photo. Sadly, Tamar's mother had died in 1894 and her father years before that, and it is unknown whether she ever saw them again.

Miles B. Hatch died in 1964 but there are still Hatch descendants in Washington. Perhaps one is still living in a little historic seaside town called Burton. If you ever visit the area maybe you can look them up!

Next week find out about another son of Lewis Hatch, Fred, who became famous in his own right... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Burton, Washington 1910
Other Quick Links