Words Of Wisdom

"They are not to do anything they please to provide for the general welfare, but only to lay taxes for that purpose. To consider the latter phrase not as describing the purpose of the first, but as giving a distinct and independent power to do any act they please which may be good for the Union, would render all the preceding and subsequent enumerations of power completely useless. It would reduce the whole instrument to a single phrase, that of instituting a Congress with power to do whatever would be for the good of the United States; and as they would be the sole judges of the good or evil, it would be also a power to do whatever evil they please...Certainly no such universal power was meant to be given them. It was intended to lace them up straightly within the enumerated powers and those without which, as means, these powers could not be carried into effect." –

Thomas Jefferson, Opinion on a National Bank, 1791

Still Time For Early Voting

Voters who have not yet voted but would like to do so before Tuesday, may do so at any of the following locations. It is not necessary that the voter reside in the municipality or township included.

State law requires that a registered voter show valid photo identification before voting early.  Voters casting an early ballot must display a current driver’s license, a state-issued ID card or another government-issued ID with a photograph.

Any voter who requests an “Early Ballot” or an “In Person Absentee Ballot” MAY NOT go to the polls on Election Day and revoke the ballot he originally requested.  The law prohibits any voter who has been issued an “In Person Absentee Ballot” or “Early Ballot” from appearing at his precinct polling place and requesting another ballot. 

For more information about early voting or voting locations, contact the McHenry County Clerk’s office at 815-334-4242.

McHenry County Administration Building

667 Ware Rd., 2^nd Floor, Conference Room A

Woodstock, IL  60098

Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Algonquin Township Offices

3702 US Hwy 14, Community Room

(Adjacent to Sheriff’s Substation)

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

City of Crystal Lake

100 W Municipal Complex, Room P106

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Grafton Township

Huntley Park District

12015 Mill St.

Huntley, IL  60142

Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Village of Lake in the Hills

Lake in the Hills Village Hall

600 Harvest Gate, Executive Conference Room

(Enter thru Board Room)

Lake in the Hills, IL 60156

Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

City of McHenry

McHenry City Hall

333 S Green St, Court Entrance Only

McHenry, IL 60050

Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

McHenry Township Offices

3703 N. Richmond Rd.

McHenry, IL  60050

Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Nunda Township Offices

3510 Bay Rd, Annex

Crystal Lake, IL 60012 

Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Harvard Area

Dunham Township Office

107 Airport Rd

Harvard, IL 60033

Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 9:00 AM to Noon

Marengo Area

Marengo City Hall

132 E Prairie St, Upper Chambers

Marengo, IL 60152

Saturday, Nov 3

The state law requires that a registered voter show valid photo identification before voting early.  Voters casting an early ballot must display a current driver’s license, a state-issued ID card or another government-issued ID with a photograph.

Any voter who requests an “Early Ballot” or an “In Person Absentee Ballot” MAY NOT go to the polls on Election Day and revoke the ballot he originally requested.  The law prohibits any voter who has been issued an “In Person Absentee Ballot” or “Early Ballot” from appearing at his precinct polling place and requesting another ballot. 

For more information about early voting or voting locations, contact the McHenry County Clerk’s office at 815-334-4242.

Walkup Road Work Continues

 North Leg: The storm sewer installation will be complete early next week, earth excavation work is being completed, and stone placement for the remaining widening will continue next week.

Landscaping of the east side is complete and west side (south end) is complete.  Daily lane closures will continue.

South Leg : Storm sewer work will resume next week now that pavement removal is complete.  The retaining wall along IL Route 176 is complete and will be backfilled to allow remaining storm sewer installation and completion of roadway construction on IL Route 176.  

Asphalt is currently being placed along IL 176 and to the immediate north on Walkup.

Driveway placement along IL 176 should be completed next week.  Expect a new traffic pattern on Walkup immediately north of IL 176 within the next couple of weeks.

McHenry County College Parking Restrictions Next Week

An emergency sanitary sewer repair will start Monday, November 5 at McHenry County College, 8900 U.S. Highway 14 in Crystal Lake. The project will begin Monday near the campus’ Tartan Drive entrance #1.

On Friday, November 9, entrance #1 will be closed for the day. The construction will then proceed through parking lot B the week of November 11, restricting some parking areas. Employees and students will be notified with additional updates as they become available.

The building entrance #3 (Lucas Road) will remain open. College officials anticipate work will be completed by November 28th.

Words Of Wisdom

Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives." –

-John Adams, letter to Benjamin Rush, 1808

Before The Internet There Was Amateur Radio

By David (W5MZ)
theintelhub.com
10-31-2012

Before there was the Internet there was amateur radio. After the Internet there will be amateur radio.

We live in a time where the powers that shouldn’t be are trying to control the flow of information.

Anyone that has been around long enough and paying attention has noticed how the official media sources spin everything to fit agendas that are contrary to the best interest of the public.

When there is anything going on that is damaging to their agenda it is glossed over or not reported at all.

The alternative media has stepped up to try to fill that gap. The small outfits that don’t have the big money funding cannot afford to have paid correspondents in every corner of the world to watch over things.

As good of job as they do with the limited resources they have, the job is not complete.

Many of the alternative media shows depend on the Internet to disseminate their information. Even the ones that are fortunate enough to be able to go out on networks of physical radio broadcast stations still have single points of control that can be targeted and taken down.

The commercial broadcast stations themselves are required to have government override equipment that can take over the broadcasts on a whim.

The citizens using social media on the Internet to stay informed are a target of the Internet censors and the cutoff switch. In a disaster situation of any flavor these communication protocols cannot be counted on.

The news is not all bad however. There are means of communication available to the people that thrive in disaster situations and have no centralized point of control that can be attacked.

As far as we have come into this technological information age we mustn’t forget our roots.

Long before the Internet came along amateur radio operators were talking to each other and passing information. Radio waves don’t know borders.

On the HF bands amateur radio operators can talk all across the world. It has been a long standing tradition of amateur radio to step up and provide communications under very adverse situations. When all other forms of communication fail the communities come to the ham radio operators to fill the gap.

One such example that happens on a regular basis is the SkyWarn program where trained weather spotters in ham radio serve as the eyes and ears for the weather service in times of severe weather.

Ham radio offers a large pool of operators spread all over everywhere that on a moments notice can activate and greatly enhance the ability of the weather service to get live reports of what is actually happening on the ground.

It’s not just weather emergencies that this resource can be called upon. Any emergency or communications blackout will be quickly responded to.

The amateur radio operators practice for these very situations and often have redundant ways of running their stations without a functioning grid.

It’s not just voice communications that amateur radio operators use. There are many digital modes at the disposal. Before there was Internet available to the public amateur radio had packet networks that would span the world with email flowing wirelessly before anyone had even thought of wifi.

I have been on the air for a very long time communicating with more people in more areas than I can count.

I always take the opportunity to work pressing truths into conversation wherever I go. Whether it’s about the federal reserve or vaccine danger I feel compelled to share what I know.

What I have noticed is that when one voice boldly speaks the truth to the benefit of the recipients that it inspires other people to follow suit.

More and more the truth spreads from station to station. It’s refreshing to see how well informed the radio community is. We pay attention and share information regularly. It’s what we do.

There isn’t just one radio station to shut down to control the free flow of information across the community and the globe.

There are millions. There isn’t any way to block this flow without disrupting everything, including the communications the powers that shouldn’t be rely on. Because of the long track record of amateur radio serving the best interests of the communities when nobody else can, an attack to silence the radio operators will be met with great resistance by the communities as a whole.

If you haven’t considered amateur radio before I invite you to give it a serious look. This Thursday on the Bob Tuskin show we will discussing amateur radio and taking your calls.

This is a can’t miss show for anyone interested in staying informed. On the show we will show you how you can tap into that resource without spending a dime.

Check us out and have a look at a brand new website that is growing into quite a valuable information resource on related topics.  http://w5mz.com Send us your questions and comments and we will do our best to give you good solid answers and information.

(This is from a site I visit regularly. It brought back a few memories, although I was never directly involved with amateur radio, I made use of its product. The above listed internet publication is something we read constantly.)

Unable To Get To Polls Tuesday? Here's A Solution

If you are unable to go to the polls on Tuesday, there are still opportunities through the weekend to “vote early”. This does not mean your vote will not be counted. It is counted just as if you cast the ballot on Election Day.

For more information, contact the McHenry County Clerk’s Office at 815-334-4242.

Opportunities For Voting Early

 McHenry County Administration Building
667 Ware Rd., 2nd Floor, Conference Room A
Woodstock, IL  60098

Thursday Nov. 1 thru Saturday Nov. 3
Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Algonquin Township Offices
3702 US Hwy 14, Community Room
(Adjacent to Sheriff’s Substation)
Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Thursday Nov. 1 thru Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

City of Crystal Lake

100 W Municipal Complex, Room P106

Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Thursday Nov. 1 thru Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Grafton Township

Huntley Park District

12015 Mill St.

Huntley, IL  60142

Thursday Nov. 1 thru Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Village of Lake in the Hills

Lake in the Hills Village Hall

600 Harvest Gate, Executive Conference Room

(Enter thru Board Room)

Thursday Nov. 1 thru Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

City of McHenry

McHenry City Hall

333 S Green St, Court Entrance Only

McHenry, IL 60050

Thursday Nov 1 thru Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

McHenry Township Offices

3703 N. Richmond Rd.

McHenry, IL  60050

Thursday Nov. 1 thru Saturday Nov. 3

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Nunda Township Offices

3510 Bay Rd, Annex

Crystal Lake, IL 60012 

Thursday and Friday Nov 1 and 2

Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:30 PM

Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM

Harvard Area

Dunham Township Office

107 Airport Rd

Harvard, IL 60033

Thursday Nov. 1 thru Friday, Nov 2

 Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM  

Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 9:00 AM to Noon

Marengo Area

Marengo City Hall

132 E Prairie St, Upper Chambers

Marengo, IL 60152

Thursday and Friday November 1 and 2

Hours: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Saturday, Nov 3

Hours: 9:00 AM to Noon

The state law requires that a registered voter show valid photo identification before voting early.  Voters casting an early ballot must display a current driver’s license, a state-issued ID card or another government-issued ID with a photograph.

Any voter who requests an “Early Ballot” or an “In Person Absentee Ballot” MAY NOT go to the polls on Election Day and revoke the ballot he originally requested.  The law prohibits any voter who has been issued an “In Person Absentee Ballot” or “Early Ballot” from appearing at his precinct polling place and requesting another ballot. 

For more information about early voting or voting locations, contact the McHenry County Clerk’s office at 815-334-4242.

Views On Rakow Road

Next best thing to actually being on location--

New photos have been posted to the photos  page!
Click here to view!

McHenry County Government Receives Achievement Award

On Friday, October 26, McHenry County was recognized by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) for achieving the Council-Manger (CM) Recognition for its high level of professional local government management through the ICMA Local Government Recognition Process.

The ICMA Local Government Recognition Process identifies local governments that, by ordinance, charter, or other legal document, have established positions of professional authority.

Recognition means that McHenry County is identified as a local government that provides a legal framework conducive to the practice of professional management.  McHenry County is one of three counties in the State of Illinois to have achieved the CM Recognition.  The other two are Lake and Champaign Counties.

McHenry County joins a total of 3,297 recognized communities (cities, counties, leagues, and councils of governments) from across the United States that have achieved the CM Recognition through the ICMA Local Government Recognition Process. The County was one of 11 communities to be formally recognized in 2012.

For more information on CM Recognition through the ICMA Local Government Recognition Process, please visit: http://icma.org/en/icma/about/overview/local_government_recognition or by contacting Adam Lehmann at 815-334-0309.

Words Of Wisdom

"Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people."

 --John Adams

Government At Work

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 1

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

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

The Committee is to consider a couple resolutions, one regarding approval of the Annual Action Plan for HUD programming and a second one requesting an exception from a potential conflict of interest involving the PY2012 Community Development Block Grant Program Funding between Pioneer Center For Human Services and County Board Member Sandra Fay Salgado

1:30 p.m. McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals--
Meeting in the County Board Conference Rooms, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock.

The Zoning Board is conducting a hearing regarding reclassification from A-1 Agriculture District to an E-1 Estate District classification.

The subject property is a 5.77 acre parcel located at 7820 Hickory Nut Grove Road, Cary.

Cholesterol Screening Available

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) will offer a cholesterol screening on Saturday, November 17, 2012 from 8am-11am, at its Crystal Lake office, 100 N Virginia Street (Route 14), just south of Route 176.

The screening requires a 12-hour fast and includes total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, blood pressure and cardiovascular education.  Call MCDH for an appointment at 815-334-4536.  The cost is $35.

Why is cholesterol important? Your blood cholesterol level has a lot to do with your chances of getting heart disease. In fact, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes are major risk factors for heart disease.  Certain lifestyles such as being a smoker, being overweight and lack of exercise can also put people at a higher risk for developing heart disease.  Everyone can take steps to lower their risk of heart disease and heart attack by addressing these risk factors.

For more information on cardiovascular disease and its risk factors, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention at http://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/what_you_can_do.htm.

Free Concerts At MCC In November

McHenry County College (MCC) will present three separate concerts in November for the community’s listening pleasure: classical guitarist Brian Torosian, the MCC Concert Band and Chorus, and the MCC Jazz Concert. All three will be in the Luecht Conference Center at MCC, located at 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

Brian Torosian, a former MCC music instructor, returns with his virtuosity on the classical guitar at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11. Besides performing on the standard six-string guitar, Torosian also concertizes on replicas of a Baroque guitar, a Terz guitar, and a 10-string guitar, the latter two made for him by Richard Bruné after rare mid-19th century Viennese instruments.

Torosian is an active soloist and chamber musician on guitar, lute, and mandolin. In addition to completing doctoral studies at Northwestern University with Anne Waller, Torosian studied with Oscar Ghiglia during the summer months of 1994-1996 at the Accademia Musicale Chigiana in Siena, Italy where he received Diplomas of Merit and an honorary scholarship. Torosian serves on the faculty at DePaul University and directs the guitar program of Northeastern Illinois University.

The MCC Concert Band and Chorus will present their Fall Concert at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 18. These continuously-growing student ensembles will present a variety of music. Video clips from past concerts can be found at www.youtube.com/musicmchenry.

The MCC Jazz Concert will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 28. The concert will feature both the jazz combo and the jazz ensemble.

All the concerts are free and open to the public. For more information, contact Michael Hillstrom at (815) 479-7814.

Green Living Expo Saturday, November 3

 KIDS! Bring your parents to the free-to-the-public Green Living Expo this Saturday, November 3 from 10am to 3pm at McHenry County College, 8900 US Hwy 14, Crystal Lake.

Visit the Environmental Defenders’ Children’s Corner and make your very own reusable carry bag from a clean, recycled t-shirt. Bring your own outgrown t-shirt or use one of ours! Work on footprints to the future! See the Bagman and learn about the environment and what you can do to help the planet.  

EDMC is pleased to join over 50 eco-friendly vendors and organizations at the Green Living Expo. It is an excellent opportunity to see green products and services and learn about sustainable practices. This year’s theme is "Our Green Transformation".

The Environmental Defenders of McHenry County is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to the preservation and improvement of the environment. The group provides community residents with educational programs and volunteer action on pollution prevention, sustainable land use and energy and natural resource conservation. Donations are encouraged and are tax-deductible as charitable contributions.   For more information, visit www.mcdef.org or call 815-338-0393.

President's Award For Social Security Commissioner

Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security, received the 2012 President’s Award presented by The Arc, one of the largest charitable organizations in the United States that serves and advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).  The President's Award honors those whose work makes a positive impact upon The Arc, its future, and the people they serve.

“Throughout his tenure, Commissioner Astrue has demonstrated a steadfast commitment to addressing the needs of people with disabilities. Bringing his unique business perspective to the Social Security Administration, he revolutionized the way it has been run and helped better serve individuals with the most significant disabilities,” said Peter Berns, Chief Executive Officer of The Arc.  “Knowing that Social Security is not just numbers and getting checks out on time, but people’s lives, he has become a true ally to the disability community in our nation.  We are thrilled to be honoring him at our national convention.”

The Arc honored Commissioner Astrue for his steadfast commitment to people with disabilities, including people with I/DD, since the beginning of his tenure in February 2007.  Under his leadership, Social Security has reduced the average length of time applicants wait to receive a decision on their claim for Social Security disability benefits. 

Key components to this reduction were his development and expansion of initiatives such as Compassionate Allowances and Quick Disability Determinations.  This two-part, fast-track system makes disability decisions in days instead of months or years and provides benefits quickly to applicants with the most severe disabilities. 

In the last two years, nearly 300,000 people have been awarded disability
benefits under these innovative initiatives.

Commissioner Astrue received the President’s Award at The Arc’s 2012 National Convention and International Forum, an event that brought members of the intellectual and developmental disability community together to advocate for human rights of people with I/DD worldwide.
For more information about the Compassionate Allowances program, please visit www.socialsecurity.gov/compassionateallowances

Flu Shots Still Available -- But Supply Limited

McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) encourages an annual flu shot for everyone 6 months and older as the best protection against influenza.  MCDH has a limited amount of flu vaccine remaining for adults and children 9 years and older.
A flu clinic has been scheduled for Wednesday, November 14, from 2pm-4pm, at the McHenry County Government Center, Building A, 2200 N Seminary Avenue, Woodstock.  The cost is $30; Medicaid and Medicare Part B accepted. Call 815-334-4931 to make an appointment.

Flu is a serious and contagious illness – even healthy people can get it.  As the flu season is long and unpredictable, the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends getting a flu shot before flu season begins as it takes 2 weeks for antibodies to develop to provide protection.

A flu shot protects not only you but those around you like pregnant women, young children, people with chronic health conditions (like asthma, diabetes, heart disease) and people 65 and older who are especially at risk for complications from the flu.  Simple ways to protect yourself also include covering your cough, washing your hands and staying home when sick. 

For more flu information, visit http://www.cdc.gov/flu/. Get the latest McHenry County health information at www.mcdh.info, on Facebook and Twitter www.twitter.com/mchenrycohealth.

Words Of Wisdom

"Government is instituted for the common good; for the protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness of the people.

" --John Adams

There's Been A Change At MCC

The transformation of the McHenry County College Commons area and cafeteria is so much different than in the past.

It is now bright and cheery. The “fake” columns in the commons area are gone. The colors of cheery bright yellow, an eye-pleasing blue along with some lavender seem to change one’s attitude the minute you walk into the area.

This is located in Building B and the area houses the culinary teaching laboratory to support the Culinary Management program.

It is one of the most utilized and high-traffic areas on MCC’s main campus. Building B has been transformed to expand educational programming, offer healthy convenient food options, and create more space for both students and community members to work and gather.

Besides this, the area features environmentally friendly practices and sustainable products, the café offers a new pizza oven with pizza made fresh to order and new snack and dining options. Multiple meeting rooms have been updated and the College’s Public Safety/Police Department has been relocated next to the Building B entrance.

The grand opening of the new space was held Tuesday afternoon and evening. Culinary students served assorted hors d’oeuvres and desserts along with demonstrations by MCC Culinary Management chefs and advanced students.

McHenry County College is more than an academic learning facility, it is also a skills training center.

Stargazers Ball On Saturday

On Saturday, November 3, 2012 at 7:00 pm join Raue Center For The Arts on stage for Stargazers Ball 2012 – the theatre’s largest annual fundraiser! This glamorous gala is filled with signature cocktails, delectable local cuisine, dancing, a live auction and more, and helps to ensure the arts are alive and thriving in the community for generations to come. The funds raised at Stargazers Ball help reduce Raue Center’s current long-term needs – like their $1.8 million dollar mortgage – that directly impact operational needs for programs like Mission Imagination and Williams Street Repertory.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Mike Potts and Dave Radford of local dueling pianos group, Felix n’ Fingers, and will feature special guest appearances by WS Rep company members. The evening will also include a raffle for a beautiful jewelry set donated by Dalzell and Co. Tickets include complimentary valet parking. Black tie dress is optional.

The Stargazers Honorary Committee members are Senator Pamela Althoff, Dee Beaubien, Steve and Sandra Pierce, Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley and his wife Regan, Steve and Leann Slack and Representative Michael Tryon and his wife Kathy.

BMO Harris Bank is the lead sponsor of Stargazers Ball 2012. Other sponsors include Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital, Countryside Flower Shop and Garden Center, EISENMANN, Market Financial Group, Northwest Herald and Sage Products, Inc. Tickets to this fundraising party are $150 and are on sale now online at www.rauecenter.org, or via the Box Office located at 26 N. Williams Street in Historic Downtown Crystal Lake or by phone 815.356.9212.

Lost Kitty

Believed to be in area near Central High School, Crystal Lake.

Words Of Wisdom

"Our obligations to our country never cease but with our lives."

--John Adams, letter to Benjamin Rush, 1808

Government At Work

Wednesday, October 31--
1:30 p.m. -- McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals

Conducting a hearing in the County Board Conference Room, County Administration Building, 667 Ware Road, Woodstock   

The Board will hear a request for a reclassification from A-1 Agriculture District to the A-2 Agriculture District for a three-acre portion of farm property located in Hebron Township and known as the Sass property

Annual Park Place Bridal Fair Coming January 20

Park Place, a Crystal Lake Park District banquet facility will be hosting the annual Park Place Bridal Fair on Sunday, January 20, 2013 from 11 am-3 pm

Businesses, services or organizations who serve people planning a wedding are encouraged to participate by purchasing a  vendor booth for $175. A vendor information packet and registration form may be downloaded online at www.crystallakeparks.org.   Completed application and fee is due by December 1.

Vendor benefits include:

• All event advertising provided by the Crystal Lake Park District (park district brochure, newspaper advertising, banner advertising, radio advertising)
• Exposure to a large audience of individuals who are interested in wedding planning (admission to the expo is free)
• Inclusion of your business or organization in welcome bag distributed to expo attendees
• Lead list after the event

For further information call Lauren Thibodeau at the Park Place, (815) 477-5871.

Help With Wingate Prairie Restoration

The public is invited to participate in a habitat restoration workday at Wingate Prairie in Crystal Lake on Saturday, November 3rd from 9:00 a.m. to noon. This event is being co-sponsored by the Crystal Lake Park District and the Silver & Sleepy Hollow Creeks Watershed Coalition.

The Coalition was formed in 2011 to implement the recommendations in the Watershed Action Plan for these two watersheds to protect water quality.   It consists of participating units of local government and Not for Profits within the watersheds. For more information on the Coalition e-mail mcdef@owc.net.

Wingate Prairie is part of Veteran Acres Park which lies within the Sleepy Hollow Creek Watershed. The goal of the day is to help restore this rare gravel hill prairie through the removal of invasive trees and shrubs.

Volunteers will be dragging brush that has been cut at previous workdays. Please wear work clothes and gloves and meet at the Crystal Lake Nature Center on North Main Street at 9:00 a.m.   In appreciation of your help you will be taken on a nature hike and given a free lunch provided by the Public House in Crystal Lake at the end of the work time.

To aid in planning, please call 815-459-0680 to sign up by Friday, November 2nd. Come out on this special workday and lend a hand to improve habitat for native species and to protect our water quality in the Sleepy Hollow Creek Watershed!   

New Park District Superintendent Of Recreation Services

Kim Buscemi joined the Crystal Lake Park District this month, as the new Superintendent of Recreation Services.

Her responsibilities include the supervision of the 4 full-time Recreation Supervisors, as well as, the planning, organization and delivery of recreation services and programs for the Crystal Lake Park District.

Kim has a Bachelor's Degree from Eastern Illinois University in Recreation and Business. She brings over 22 years of experience in the recreation field, most recently as the Superintendent of Facilities at the Elk Grove Park District.  Prior to that, she served Superintendent of Recreational Programs for the Elk Grove Park District.

Kim is especially pleased to take on this opportunity, as Crystal Lake is a community that she has been a resident of for the past 11 years. "As the new Superintendent of Recreation Services, I am very excited to join the fabulous team at the Crystal Lake Park District.  Being a part of the community for the last eleven years, I am now proud to be part of an organization that is dedicated to providing our residents with safe and exceptional recreational programs and facilities. I am looking forward to meeting our program participants as well as hearing feedback and input from the community."

Crystal Lake Park District Men's Basketball Team Deadline Extended

In order to accommodate additional teams, the team registration deadline for the Crystal Lake Park District Men's Adult Basketball League has been extended until Monday, November 5.  The league is open to adults ages 18 & up. Two divisions may be formed.

Teams will play a 10-game regular season, followed by a single elimination post-season tournament within the same division. Team rosters and registration fees are due to the Crystal Lake Park District Administrative Office, One East Crystal Lake Avenue by Monday, November 5. The league plays at Lundahl Middle School.

Men's Basketball League, Wednesday, November 7, 2012-February 20, 2013

Team Fee: $755 plus $15 for each non-resident

Basketball League Information Packets and Team Roster Forms are available online at www.crystallakeparks.org/Athletic-Leagues Thursday, October 25, 7-10 pm.

Please contact Joe Davison at (815) 459-0680 ext. 228, jdavison@crystallakeparks.org, if you have any questions or are interested in Men's Basketball Leagues with the Crystal Lake Park District.

Words Of Wisdom

"Repeal that [welfare] law, and you will soon see a change in their manners. [I]ndustry will increase, and with it plenty among the lower people; their circumstances will mend, and more will be done for their happiness by inuring them to provide for themselves, than could be done by dividing all your estates among them."

--Benjamin Franklin (1753)

Government At Work

MONDAY, OCTOBER 29 –

6:00 p.m. – McHenry County Mental Health Board –

Meeting in the Mental Health Board Main Conference Room, 620 Dakota Street, Crystal Lake.

The Board is to be presented five presentations regarding child and adolescent substance abuse, residential, community support, ancillary and specialty services.

Other business matters to be handled includes financial reports and modifications to the budget, and funding levels for FY 2013.

Other matters preparing for the upcoming year include discussion regarding an interim executive director, meeting scheduled for 2013, funding language for the coming year, and handling of personnel and litigation matters in an executive session.

A Look At All Three

Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony November 8

McHenry County College will host a Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony beginning with patriotic music by the MCC Concert Band and Chorus on Thursday, November 8 at 9 a.m. in the College’s Gym/Multi-purpose Room in Building A, 8900 U.S. Hwy. 14 in Crystal Lake.

The event’s keynote speaker will be McHenry County College accounting instructor, Don Curfman, a retired Navy lieutenant commander. Curfman joined the Navy in 1968 following a long family tradition.

He served over 10 years of enlisted service on several ships and aviation squadrons, including serving in the Vietnam conflict. After completing his bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, Don received a commission in the Navy Supply Corps and served aboard several aircraft carriers and naval air stations throughout the world.

He earned his Master of Business Administration from Chaminade University in Honolulu, Hawaii.

In 1994, after 26 years of service, Curfman retired from the Navy with the rank of Lieutenant Commander. His final assignment was to assist in closing down the Naval Air Station in Glenview. He was awarded the third-highest peacetime medal for his outstanding naval service.

In 1991, Curfman started teaching accounting at McHenry County College and was hired full time in 1994. He has served as chairperson of the MCC Accounting Department for over 15 years. He also helped to start the MCC Veterans Day Recognition program and is the faculty advisor for the Military Students and Veterans Club (XGI). 

He was chosen as Faculty of the Year by his peers in 2005 and was a National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development (NISOD) Excellence Award winner in 2011.

Curfman is a member of the Loyal Order of the Moose and has served on the Board of Directors for the McHenry County Federal Credit Union for almost 20 years. He is a lifetime member of Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Fleet Reserve Association (FRA) and American Legion. He is a strong supporter of Honor Flight for World War II veterans. Curfman is a native of Portland, Oregon.

The 2012 Veterans Day Ceremony will also include an address from Micah Barcus, vice president of MCC’s Military and Student Veterans Association, as well as posting of the colors by the Combined Service Color Guard, and bagpipe music.

The event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served following the program. For more information, contact the MCC Veterans Day Committee at (815) 479-7635.