Weaving A Tale, Jacquard Coverlets And Storytelling

Join the Colonel Palmer House staff under the shade of Colonel Palmer’s grand oaks and sugar maples for the final Summer Sunday on Aug 11th from 1-4 pm. This month’s FREE event features two new and unique offerings for the public. “Weaving a Tale: Coverlets, Quilts, and the Art of Storytelling” brings together a historical presentation of jacquard coverlets with two artful storytellers, sure to delight all ages.

Predating the popularity of quilts, jacquard coverlets were woven in Illinois during the 1840’s through the 1860’s as skilled weavers moved west to obtain land. An exhibit of these intricately woven bed coverings will be on loan from members of the Illinois Coverlet Guild. Jes Horwath of the guild joins us to explain their history within IL.

Visitors will be able to try different types of weaving techniques as members of the Woodstock Weavers Guild demonstrate a variety of fiber crafts, loom types, and weave structures.

A private collection of early American quilts will be on display for visitors to enjoy. This private quilt collection on loan from Audrey Veath of Barrington demonstrates the evolution of bed coverings from coverlets to quilts. Children will enjoy creating their own woven quilt with assistance of National Honor Society students from Jacobs High School.

Families can relax in the shade as two members of the McHenry County Storyteller’s Guild entertain all ages with oral storytelling. Long before the age of radio, television, and computers, storytellers were the source for information. Storyteller Jerry Martin brings to life tales of Native American heritage while Carol Waxenberg weaves stories of quilts and their place in American Folklore. Both storytellers’ will perform 20-30 min on the hour and half hour from 1-4pm.

During the event, the Colonel Palmer House will be open to visitors. The Palmer family and house history of the Federal and Greek Revival style home, which was built in 1858, will be presented. Colonel Palmer House is located at 660 E. Terra Cotta Rd, Crystal Lake. For information, call Mary Ott at 815-477-5873 or email palmerhouse@crystallakeparks.org.

For further information contact Mary Ott at (815) 477-5873, or via email palmerhouse@crystallakeparks.org.

Words Of Wisdom

"A little matter will move a party, but it must be something great that moves a nation."

--Thomas Paine, Rights of Man, 1791

McHenry County Beach Testing

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) conducted beach water samplings at 38 licensed beaches on Wednesday, July 31.  There were no reports of increased bacterial levels.  All beaches will be open.

To prevent illness associated with swimming, all licensed beaches on the 13 lakes in McHenry County are tested every 2 weeks for E. coli throughout the summer to determine water quality.  Additional and more frequent sampling is done when elevated bacterial levels are found.    

Water sampling results are reported to the appropriate beach authorities. MCDH will post an advisory or closed signage for beaches with elevated E. coli results.  All beach water results and locations are readily available at the MCDH webpage www.mcdh.info (Environmental Health, quick links - “beach testing results”) or call 815-334-4585.

Words Of Wisdom

"The belief in a God All Powerful wise and good, is so essential to the moral order of the world and to the happiness of man, that arguments which enforce it cannot be drawn from too many sources nor adapted with too much solicitude to the different characters and capacities impressed with it."

-James Madison

Government At Work

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2-

9:00 A.M. –McHenry County Board – Committee of the Whole-

Meeting in the County Board Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The only item on the agenda for this meeting is the County Board Committee of the Whole to review proposed changes to the County Board Rules. Numerous changes are proposed. However, not all are proposing anything new. Many are correcting minor errors in verbiage.

Words Of Wisdom

"In observations on this subject, we hear the legislature mentioned as the people's representatives. The distinction, intimated by concealed implication, through probably, not avowed upon reflection, is, that the executive and judicial powers are not connected with the people by a relation so strong or near or dear. But is high time that we should chastise our prejudices; and that we should look upon the different parts of government with a just and impartial eye."

--James Wilson, Lectures on Law, 1791

Police Awards For Conservation District Officers

For the first time in the Chicago region, the Northern Illinois Motor Officers (NIMO), T.O.P.S. Motorcycle Training, Midwest Police Motorcycle Training and Lock & Lean, LLC hosted the Chicagoland Motorcycle Safety Expo & Skills Seminar. 

This 3-day charity event benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois, included an advanced motor officer-training seminar held by Midwest Police Motorcycle Training with Officer Ben Wolfe from the Conservation District as one of the instructors. In addition to the advanced motor training, the event included a Motorcycle Safety Expo & Skills Competition which allows riders in the Police Division to compete against their peers from throughout the country as well as Canada.

Representing the Conservation District Police Department, Officer Ben Wolfe received 1st Place in the Main Skills Police Expert Division, 1st place in the Slow Ride, and 1st in the “Last Man Standing” competition. Officer Ryan Stewart placed 3rd in the Main Skills Police Expert Division competition, and both Officer Wolfe and Stewart received 1st place in the Partner Ride competition. 

Government At Work

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1—

8:30 a.m.—McHenry County Board, Planning and Development Committee—

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The Committee is to consider the Final Plat Approval for Phase 2 of Skyview Subdivision located in Hartland Township

An Ordinance Extending a Temporary Moratorium for Electronic Off-Premise Commercial Advertising is being presented for Committee recommendation. The recommendation is to extend the moratorium until June 18, 2014 or the Unified Development Ordinance is adopted, whichever occurs first.

Changed Location For Crystal Lake Park District Luau

Due to inclement weather today (Wednesday, July 31, 6-8:30 pm) the Crystal Lake Park District Senior Luau has been moved to Park Place, 406 W. Woodstock St, Crystal Lake.

Park Place will be transformed into a Hawaiian island complete with the sights and sounds of the Royal Polynesian Review, beautiful costumes, and light refreshments (while supplies last). This event is free of charge for seniors thanks to the generosity of the following event co-sponsors: Eastgate Manor, Visiting Angels, City of Crystal Lake, Bickford Senior Living, Senior Services, and Dunkin Donuts.

Contact Jenni Silka at jsilka@crystallakeparks.org, (815) 459-0680, ext. 219 for information about photo opportunities.

Children's Health & Safety Fair Today At MCC

It is raining today.

However that will not stop the planned McHenry County Children’s Health & Safety Fair Coalition . That is because this event is taking place in the McHenry County College Building C from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This is an opportunity for parents to receive school immunizations, physicals, dental screenings and health education for their children before the school year begins.

Admission to the fair is free . There are 40 exhibits, games and prizes, child ID system and some animal characters to entertain the children.

Support for this event is provided by a variety of community organizations. 

Words Of Wisdom

"In observations on this subject, we hear the legislature mentioned as the people's representatives. The distinction, intimated by concealed implication, through probably, not avowed upon reflection, is, that the executive and judicial powers are not connected with the people by a relation so strong or near or dear. But is high time that we should chastise our prejudices; and that we should look upon the different parts of government with a just and impartial eye."

--James Wilson, Lectures on Law, 1791

Government At Work

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31

1:30 p.m. – McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals—

Meeting in the County Board Conference Room, County administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The Zoning Board is to conduct a public hearing regarding a reclassification from B-2 Liquor Business District to the R-1 Single family Residential District. The property in question is located in Richmond Township

7:00 p.m. Valley Hi Nursing Home Operating Board –

Meeting in the Valley Hi Nursing Home, 2406 Hartland Road, Woodstock.

A presentation of the FY 2014 budget is to be made to the Board.

Other matters for consideration include:

• A capital replacement/improvement plan
• Legislative update.
• Changes to Nursing Home Compare Website.

Information Regarding 2014 McHenry County Sheriff's Election

Editor’s Note: This political information relates to the 2014 election

“To my neighbors, fellow residents of Richmond, and McHenry County:

“Experience, transparency and upholding the rights of citizens are among the reasons I am backing law enforcement veteran Bill Prim in the race for the McHenry County Sheriff seat.

“As president of the McHenry County Sportsmen’s Association, which is dedicated to promoting awareness of outdoor shooting types of sports, and wildlife and conservation laws, I believe Prim of Cary would be highly effective serving the residents of the county.

“I, along with the Sportsmen’s Association encourage all types of outdoor sports, such as fishing, archery and hunting, while promoting education and safety of all shooting-related sports.  And, upholding the Second Amendment to “our” Bill of Rights has always been of utmost importance – a right that Prim values.

“At the same time, he is highly skilled, having the experience and leadership McHenry County needs. 

“His 27-years as a suburban police officer and commander, and participation in numerous law enforcement task forces includes ones beneficial to our youth like helping to get rid of drugs, and gangs.  Prim, among other roles, was a dedicated gang crimes specialist on the Northwest Suburban Gang Task Force, and served on multi-jurisdictional narcotic and money laundering investigations on state and federal levels. 

“With that said, I saw first hand how Prim gave his time this summer talking to youth and their parents during the training class, Youth Introduction to Air Rifles – an association event that he co-sponsored.  His community involvement goes beyond that and speaks volumes of his character – something that should not be lost in this race.

“My endorsement, in part, is based on Prim’s commitment to making neighborhoods and schools a better, safer place, while encouraging community involvement with new volunteer programs, and implementing new crime prevention strategies.  It’s a grass-roots initiative – one that can’t be beat.

“I strongly encourage you to vote for Republican candidate, Bill Prim for McHenry County Sheriff in next year’s primary election in March.?

Sincerely,

Matt Meyer – President, McHenry County Sportsmen’s Association

Words Of Wisdom

"Hence as a private man has a right to say what wages he will give in his private affairs, so has a Community to determine what they will give and grant of their substance for the Administration of public affairs."

--Samuel Adams, A State of the Rights of the Colonists, 1772

Rare Opportunity To Study Large Stand of Oaks in McHenry County

The opportunity to preserve a nearly 100 acre stand of oaks in McHenry County is rare and the potential to study their ecosystem components in such a large block equally unusual.

However, as of July 15, 2013 one of these stands is now protected and will be known for perpetuity as The McHenry Community Research Forest. This project was made possible through a creative partnership forged between The Land Conservancy of McHenry County, a private landowner, the McHenry County Conservation District, and a grant from Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation.

The Community Research Forest, located in unincorporated Harvard, IL is the assemblage of three parcels of land totaling approximately 93 acres. Two of the parcels (about 53 acres) were purchased outright by the Conservation District funded in large part by a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. Also included is a 40 acre conservation easement donated to TLC by Al Van Maren, a private landowner.

The Community Research Forest is a complex array of wooded natural communities dominated by white, red, black, scarlet and bur oaks intermixed with both young and mature 200-300 year old trees, including co–dominant species of bitternut hickory and black cherry.

The McHenry County Community Research Forest will provide an area for researchers, private land owners, college and high school classes, stewards, artists and others interested in the long term survival and viability of oaks in McHenry County and the region to study these ecosystems. It is to be a living laboratory dedicated to the future of McHenry County’s most ancient and venerable natural communities and is expected to draw attention from future research grant projects, universities and other partners that have a vested interest in the future of oak ecosystems in the region.

Integration into and use of the site by programs of TLC and the Conservation District will begin as early as this fall. The site will become an outdoor classroom available for TLC’s Oak Keepers and Project Quercus programs and as a field site for the Conservation District’s use in the People and Nature Program. It is envisioned to be accessible to the public on a regular basis, but not in the conventional sense of recreational trails. Rather its purpose is to provide a readily available site for ongoing educational programs and yearly hands-on seminars conducted in the field.

In the coming months, a written management plan for the site, including a research prospectus will be established. In addition a full natural resources assessment will be completed on the flora, natural communities, avian, herpetological and mammal components of the site. Necessary improvements made for general public access is expected by January 2015 when the site will be open for hikes through the woods. 

Crystal Lake Public Library Closed To Public Friday Morning.

The Crystal Lake Public Library will be closed from 9:00 am until noon, Friday, August 2, 2013 for Staff Training.  The Library will open to the public at 12:00 noon.

MCC Scholarship Application Deadline -- August 5

The Friends of McHenry County College Foundation has awarded 39 scholarships totaling $37,500 to 46 students for the Fall 2013 semester. Seven fall scholarships are still available for current and incoming MCC students. The scholarships include those based on need, merit and/or program of study. Scholarship categories include emergency medical technician, certified nursing assistant, healthcare, science, anthropology, technology/manufacturing and general.

The application deadline is Monday, Aug. 5 at 5 p.m. Scholarship applications and a complete description of all the scholarships are available at www.mchenry.edu/scholarships. Applicants must print the application and return or mail it to the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation Office Room A209 at MCC, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14, Crystal Lake, IL 60012. Forms may not be submitted online. Awards will be announced by early September.

For more information about the scholarships or giving opportunities, contact, contact the Friends of McHenry County College Foundation at (815) 455-8721 or visit the Foundation website at www.mchenry.edu/supportmcc.

The Friends of McHenry County College Foundation was founded in 1967 as the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of McHenry County College. MCC provides educational opportunities for more than 300,000 residents and 28,000 businesses in the area. The Foundation’s programs and scholarships are made possible through the generosity of its donors and supporters

Find A Little Peace

Explore a peaceful state of mind and body using ancient Tibetan singing bowls in calming, restorative classes offered by McHenry County College’s Continuing Education Department.

In the Tibetan Singing Bowls: Ancient Instrument of Healing and Peace class, participants can enjoy a hands-on experience of the sound and vibration of the bowls and learn why they have become internationally recognized as potent tools for healing. Participants will also be treated to a restorative sound massage. Those who like to lie down (recommended), bring a mat, blanket, pillows and a bottle of water. Or participants may sit in a chair if they prefer. Class takes place from 7-9 p.m. Friday, August 9 in Room C106. Cost is $20.  Use course ID: NHE S02 008 when registering.

For an interactive sound experience, the Tibetan Singing Bowls: Healing Sound Circle class offers participants to sit on chairs in a circle, learn to play the Tibetan Singing Bowls and learn "sounding" (a very simple yet profound vocal practice that does not require singing ability). The sound/vibration of the bowls and one’s voice creates an inner vibration that enhances the body's natural healing ability. Participants will leave feeling refreshed, restored and empowered. Bring a bottle of water to class. Class takes place from 7-9 p.m. in Room C106 on Friday, August 16. Cost is $20. Use course ID: NHE S03 008 when registering.

To register, call the MCC Registration Office at (815) 455-8588.  For more information, call Tracy Berry at (815) 455-8758 or Claudia Terrones at (815) 455-8782.

Drinking Water Testing At Reduced Fee

In honor of Safe Drinking Water Month (August), McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will offer reduced fee water testing for individual well water users for the entire month of August.  Residents can have their well water sampled for coliform bacteria and nitrate for $18. 

Testing your well regularly is the only way to determine whether well water is safe to drink as many contaminants are colorless and odorless.  Water from a public or municipal water system is regularly tested for contaminants regulated by Federal and state standards. 

Bacteria and chemicals can get into well water and contaminate it in different ways. Some bacteria and chemicals occur naturally.  Contaminants such as nitrate can come from animal waste, wastewater, flooded sewers, polluted storm water runoff, fertilizers, agricultural runoff, or decaying plants.  High levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause illness in young children and pregnant women.  Coliform bacteria are microbes found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, in soil, on plants, and in surface water.   

MCDH will test water from private wells for nuisance chemicals resulting in water hardness, iron, discoloration and odor.  Additional charges will apply. Sampling kits can be picked up at MCDH locations in Woodstock, Crystal Lake or at one of eight drop-off centers. 

Samples can be dropped off for testing on Tuesday mornings between 9:00am and 12:00pm at the following sites: 

• Algonquin Townships Office, 3702 Route 14, Crystal Lake, (847) 639-2329
• Dorr Township Office, 1039 Lake Avenue, Woodstock  (815) 338-0125
• MCDH, 100 N Virginia Street, Crystal Lake IL (815) 459-5151
• McHenry Township Office, 3703 Richmond Road, McHenry  (815) 385-5605
• Nunda Township Office, 3510 Bay Road, Crystal Lake (815) 459-4011
• City of Marengo, City Hall, 134 E. Prairie Street, Marengo  (815) 568-7112
• City of Harvard, Police Department, 201 W Front Street, Harvard (815) 943-4431
• Richmond Township Office, 7812 South Route 31, Richmond (815) 678-0077
• Grafton Township Office, 10109 Vine Street, Huntley (847) 669-3328

For more information, contact MCDH’s Environmental Health Division at 815-334-4585 or visit www.mcdh.info.

Words Of Wisdom

"If the representatives of the people betray their constituents, there is then no resource left but in the exertion of that original right of self-defense which is paramount to all positives forms of government, and which against the usurpations of the national rulers, may be exerted with infinitely better prospect of success than against those of the rulers of an individual state."

--Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 28, 1787

Crystal Lake Blast On The Beach -- August 10

The Crystal Lake Park District is pleased to announce that through partnership with local businesses, Blast on the Beach will take place Saturday, August 10 from 3-9 pm, The Crystal Lake Main Beach (300 Lakeshore Drive, Crystal Lake) will be the hot spot to enjoy one of the final summer weekends before the beginning of school.  Rain Date: August 11.

This event will truly be a 'Blast on the Beach' featuring a Kid's Fun Fair with over twenty vendors, a Craft Fair, a Treasure Hunt (real gold coins and other prizes buried in our beach!), Bags Tournament, food vendors from some of your favorite local restaurants, a beer/wine garden, children’s entertainer Circus Boy and a live music performance by The Lounge Puppets. Through this partnership of various vendors  ADMISSION IS FREE.

For more information about the Blast on the Beach, contact Jacqui Weber at (815) 459-0680, ext. 214, or via email jweber@crystallakeparks.org.

Scenic Galena Tour October 4 -- Registration Before August 22

Enjoy an autumn day in scenic Galena with a McHenry County College’s Trips and Tours program on Friday, Oct. 4.

Scenic shopping downtown Galena and touring and tasting at Galena Cellars Vineyard and Winery are featured. Lunch is included in the trip price. Trip participants will meet in the MCC Commons area in Building B. The trip departs from MCC at 9 a.m. and returns at 7 p.m.

Cost is $119. Please register before August 22. To register, call the MCC Registration Office at (815) 455-8588.  Use course ID: NST S10 004 when registering. For more information, call Claudia Terrones at (815) 455-8782

Government At Work

MONDAY, JULY 29—

8:30 a.m. – McHenry County Continuum of Care-

Meeting in the large conference room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The Committee is to identify core priorities for McHenry County Continuum of Care as well as discuss what areas should be targeted and what areas of homelessness are being missed.

Also consider such matters as core priorities for HUD through overview of SNAPS, as well a many other matters related to the work of the organization.

MCCD Receives Environmental Stewardship Award

McHenry County Conservation District embodies environmental stewardship in its core mission and is recognized as a premiere public agency for preserving, protection and managing open space. Over the years the Conservation District has been on the forefront of environmental stewardship. 

To that end, McHenry County Conservation District is being honored by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and has been awarded the 2013 Barb King Environmental Stewardship Award.

The Barb King Environmental Stewardship Award recognizes a parks and recreation agency that has achieved excellence in environmental stewardship.

The Conservation District is being specially recognized for their recent leadership role in establishing the Hackmatack National Wildlife Refuge; for promoting sound environmental practices through the development of the newly renovated Lost Valley Visitor Center, the first public LEED GOLD certified building in McHenry County; for establishing ongoing green practices within agency operations; and for promoting environmental stewardship through an active volunteer program, the People and Nature certificate program and award-winning Weekend of Restoration program.

“The Conservation District’s vision is to have all residents develop a personal responsibility for their local environment and to have them gain a greater appreciation for their natural world,” Said Wendy Kummerer, Communications Manager. “We work toward achieving this vision by developing new programs that will attract diverse audiences to environmental stewardship. We look forward to creating new opportunities that will move McHenry County toward an even more environmentally sound future.”

The Conservation District will be recognized at the October NRPA Congress and Exposition in Texas at the Best of the Best Ceremony.

For 2016 McHenry County Sheriff's Race

To my neighbors, fellow residents of Richmond, and McHenry County:

Experience, transparency and upholding the rights of citizens are among the reasons I am backing law enforcement veteran Bill Prim in the race for the McHenry County Sheriff seat

As president of the McHenry County Sportsmen’s Association, which is dedicated to promoting awareness of outdoor shooting types of sports, and wildlife and conservation laws, I believe Prim of Cary would be highly effective serving the residents of the county

I, along with the Sportsmen’s Association encourage all types of outdoor sports, such as fishing, archery and hunting, while promoting education and safety of all shooting-related sports.  And, upholding the Second Amendment to “our” Bill of Rights has always been of utmost importance – a right that Prim values.

At the same time, he is highly skilled, having the experience and leadership McHenry County needs. 

His 27-years as a suburban police officer and commander, and participation in numerous law enforcement task forces includes ones beneficial to our youth like helping to get rid of drugs, and gangs.  Prim, among other roles, was a dedicated gang crimes specialist on the Northwest Suburban Gang Task Force, and served on multi-jurisdictional narcotic and money laundering investigations on state and federal levels. 

With that said, I saw first hand how Prim gave his time this summer talking to youth and their parents during the training class, Youth Introduction to Air Rifles – an association event that he co-sponsored.  His community involvement goes beyond that and speaks volumes of his character – something that should not be lost in this race.

My endorsement, in part, is based on Prim’s commitment to making neighborhoods and schools a better, safer place, while encouraging community involvement with new volunteer programs, and implementing new crime prevention strategies.  It’s a grass-roots initiative – one that can’t be beat.
I strongly encourage you to vote for Republican candidate, Bill Prim for McHenry County Sheriff in next year’s primary election in March.
Sincerely,

Matt Meyer – President, McHenry County Sportsmen’s Association

McHenry Community Research Forest

The opportunity to preserve a nearly 100 acre stand of oaks in McHenry County is rare and the potential to study their ecosystem components in such a large block equally unusual.

However, as of July 15, 2013 one of these stands is now protected and will be known for perpetuity as The McHenry Community Research Forest. This project was made possible through a creative partnership forged between The Land Conservancy of McHenry County, a private landowner, the McHenry County Conservation District, and a grant from Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation.

The Community Research Forest, located in unincorporated Harvard, IL is the assemblage of three parcels of land totaling approximately 93 acres. Two of the parcels (about 53 acres) were purchased outright by the Conservation District funded in large part by a grant from the Illinois Clean Energy Community Foundation. Also included is a 40 acre conservation easement donated to TLC by Al Van Maren, a private landowner.

The Community Research Forest is a complex array of wooded natural communities dominated by white, red, black, scarlet and bur oaks intermixed with both young and mature 200-300 year old trees, including co–dominant species of bitternut hickory and black cherry.

The McHenry County Community Research Forest will provide an area for researchers, private land owners, college and high school classes, stewards, artists and others interested in the long term survival and viability of oaks in McHenry County and the region to study these ecosystems. It is to be a living laboratory dedicated to the future of McHenry County’s most ancient and venerable natural communities and is expected to draw attention from future research grant projects, universities and other partners that have a vested interest in the future of oak ecosystems in the region.

Integration into and use of the site by programs of TLC and the Conservation District will begin as early as this fall. The site will become an outdoor classroom available for TLC’s Oak Keepers and Project Quercus programs and as a field site for the Conservation District’s use in the People and Nature Program. It is envisioned to be accessible to the public on a regular basis, but not in the conventional sense of recreational trails. Rather its purpose is to provide a readily available site for ongoing educational programs and yearly hands-on seminars conducted in the field.

In the coming months, a written management plan for the site, including a research prospectus will be established. In addition a full natural resources assessment will be completed on the flora, natural communities, avian, herpetological and mammal components of the site. Necessary improvements made for general public access is expected by January 2015 when the site will be open for hikes through the woods.

McHenry County Conservation District Police Receive Awards

For the first time in the Chicago region, the Northern Illinois Motor Officers (NIMO), T.O.P.S. Motorcycle Training, Midwest Police Motorcycle Training and Lock & Lean, LLC hosted the Chicagoland Motorcycle Safety Expo & Skills Seminar
.
This 3-day charity event benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois, included an advanced motor officer-training seminar held by Midwest Police Motorcycle Training with Officer Ben Wolfe from the Conservation District as one of the instructors. In addition to the advanced motor training, the event included a Motorcycle Safety Expo & Skills Competition which allows riders in the Police Division to compete against their peers from throughout the country as well as Canada.

Representing the Conservation District Police Department, Officer Ben Wolfe received 1st Place in the Main Skills Police Expert Division, 1st place in the Slow Ride, and 1st in the “Last Man Standing” competition. Officer Ryan Stewart placed 3rd in the Main Skills Police Expert Division competition, and both Officer Wolfe and Stewart received 1st place in the Partner Ride competition.

Private Well Testing Available With County Department Of Health

Testing your well regularly is the only way to determine whether well water is safe to drink as many contaminants are colorless and odorless.  Water from a public or municipal water system is regularly tested for contaminants regulated by Federal and state standards. 

Bacteria and chemicals can get into well water and contaminate it in different ways. Some bacteria and chemicals occur naturally.  Contaminants such as nitrate can come from animal waste, wastewater, flooded sewers, polluted storm water runoff, fertilizers, agricultural runoff, or decaying plants.  High levels of nitrate in drinking water can cause illness in young children and pregnant women.  Coliform bacteria are microbes found in the digestive systems of warm-blooded animals, in soil, on plants, and in surface water.

MCDH will test water from private wells for nuisance chemicals resulting in water hardness, iron, discoloration and odor.  Additional charges will apply. Sampling kits can be picked up at MCDH locations in Woodstock, Crystal Lake or at one of eight drop-off centers.  Samples can be dropped off for testing on Tuesday mornings between 9:00am and 12:00pm at the following sites: 

• Algonquin Townships Office, 3702 Route 14, Crystal Lake, (847) 639-2329
• Dorr Township Office, 1039 Lake Avenue, Woodstock  (815) 338-0125
• MCDH, 100 N Virginia Street, Crystal Lake IL (815) 459-5151
• McHenry Township Office, 3703 Richmond Road, McHenry  (815) 385-5605
• Nunda Township Office, 3510 Bay Road, Crystal Lake (815) 459-4011
• City of Marengo, City Hall, 134 E. Prairie Street, Marengo  (815) 568-7112
• City of Harvard, Police Department, 201 W Front Street, Harvard (815) 943-4431
• Richmond Township Office, 7812 South Route 31, Richmond (815) 678-0077
• Grafton Township Office, 10109 Vine Street, Huntley (847) 669-3328

For more information, contact MCDH’s Environmental Health Division at 815-334-4585 or visit www.mcdh.info.