Your Weekly Village News

March 23, 2022

Dear Village Resident,

In 1941, St. Peter's Church received ten acres of land adjoining the church's property to the north. The property was transformed into a baseball diamond with lights, a viewing stand and a playground. In 1984, the village purchased 10 acres between this property and Horse Fair Park to develop it into Spring Grove Park. A road, parking and more playing fields were added.

In 1986, the village signed a lease with St. Peter's for the use of their baseball field for the community and agreed to maintain them. Throughout the years, many fun memories of watching and playing ball have been made there.

In recognition of the church's continuing contribution to the community at Spring Grove Park, a new entry sign to the park was designed and now reads "St. Peter's Church Field at Spring Grove Park". I would like to thank Father Joe and the St. Peter's Church congregation for their continued support of our community. See more history and photos of the park and baseball fields in this week's Blast from the Past.

Mark Eisenberg

Village President

NMS Pizza Fundraiser Tomorrow!

Nippersink Middle School PTO is doing a MOD pizza fundraiser on Thursday, March 24th all day. Order on-line at the MOD app or website, or go there on Thursday with a printout of the flyer or the code from the flyer and 20% of your purchase will go to NMS. Located at 281 N. Edwards Blvd in Lake Geneva, WI. The fundraiser code is MOD1920.

Solicitors

Now that the weather is warmer, we may be seeing more solicitors around the village. Solicitors must first register with the village and should provide you with a permit upon request. If the solicitor does not have a permit, please contact the police department at 815-675-2596 or, if after the hours of 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., the non-emergency dispatch number at 815-338-2145, while they are still in your neighborhood.

Northern United FC Youth Recreational Spring Soccer

NUFC Recreational Soccer is a fun, quality program for players of all ages and skill levels. Registration is now open for Spring Grove residents 6-14 years old. Click the here for more information and to sign up.

The Easter Bunny is Coming

Mark your calendar for this year's Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 9 at Thelen Park! Bring your basket and take a picture with the Easter Bunny. If you find an egg with a special note inside, you can win a prize or fun-filled basket. There is no charge, but please bring a non-perishable food item to help support the local food pantry. View the flyer here.

Photo of the Week

Winter snacking in Breezy Lawn. Submitted by Gwen and Bob Polanzi. If you have a photo of Spring Grove you would like to share, email it here.

2022 INK 5K

Ink 5K is set for May 26! Registration and sponsorship information is available on their website here.

Burning of Landscape Waste

Burning of landscape waste is only allowed in the Village of Spring Grove on weekends in April and May. See burning regulations here. Raking, blowing or otherwise allowing leaves to be deposited upon or left on the streets or sidewalks of the village is prohibited by Village Ordinance.

Salon Jevee

Salon Jevee is excited to welcome Abby, a new licensed esthetician to their salon. Abby is very excited to start her journey at Salon Jevee to expand her knowledge in skin care. Call now for a $55 intro facial! View the flyer here for more information.

Spring Grove Post Office now Hiring

The Spring Grove post office has openings for rural carrier associates (RCAs) paying $19.06/hr. RCAs help deliver mail to rural customers, sell stamps and other products, and help out in other ways. This position includes driving and work is performed indoors and outdoors in all types of weather. Apply today at usps.com/careers. Located at 2410 Westward Drive.

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Blast from the Past - Playing Ball in Spring Grove

Early 1960s men's 16" softball team

Circa 1940s - 50s Johnsburg baseball team

Spring Grove Park baseball circa 2000.jpg

A late 1990s night game at Spring Grove Park

The church's summer picnic cow plop c. 1999

John Popelka 14 and Shirley Dawson circa 1949 at baseball game.jpg

Shirley Dawson's mobile lunch counter at a baseball game

In 1941, Margaret Sugg, the niece and former housekeeper of Fr. Clemens Duerr (pictured), who was the first priest of St. Peter’s, donated ten acres of land adjoining the church’s property. Margaret lived in the rectory when the church was built in 1900 until Fr. Duerr’s death in 1921. The generous gift was a real benefit to the church and community.

The only way to get to the new property was crossing a spring-fed stream, called the St. Peter’s Rivulet, so the St. Peter’s Holy Name Society, a men’s group, erected a bridge. Then the Society transformed the vacant property into a baseball diamond with lights, a viewing stand and a playground.

When ball games were played, restaurant owner Shirley Dawson would drive over in her mobile lunch counter which was originally a Spring Grove firetruck from 1928 that she renovated. She sold 15 cent hot dogs, 10 cent ice cream and pop.

In 1946, the men of Spring Grove joined the McHenry County Men’s Baseball League and played teams from Richmond, Johnsburg, McHenry and others on the new field. Watching or playing baseball was a favorite rural American pastime and a focus of community pride. In May of 1951 the newspaper reported, “A nice crowd turned out for the first game of the season at the Spring Grove diamond on Sunday afternoon. The Spring Grove team played the McHenry Merchants and won by a score of 12 to 3.” (Go team!) The Men's baseball league stopped playing sometime in the 1960s.

In 1984, the village purchased 10.26 acres between the church property and Horse Fair Park from Frank May to develop it into Spring Grove Park, and in 1986 work was started. The first priority was to construct a road into the property and the second priority was to complete another ball diamond for a little league field. A proposal by Paul May and Sons, Inc. was accepted. The company donated three days of equipment and one day of their employees' time. The employees also donated the rest of the time required to clear the parking area and the football and soccer field areas. The rest of the park was completed with the volunteer time and talent of many individuals and donations from local businesses.

Forty years later, the park is still rented out to youth and men's baseball & softball leagues, continuing the tradition for both players and fans of great summer entertainment at the old ballpark.

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