Woodstock

City Manager’s

Newsletter Volume 4, Issue 38

November 18, 2016

Stage Left Café, 8:00 pm

Woodstock North High School, 7:00 pm

, Opera House,

8:00 pm

Fairgrounds Pavilion D, 9:00 am -

1:00 pm

Woodstock North High School, 2:00 & 7:00 pm

, Opera House,

3:00 & 8:00 pm

(Please see - pg. 14)

The origin of Woodstock’s

annual Lighting-of-the-Square

is a rather interesting tale. As

far back as any long-term

residents can remember,

there have been trees in the

Park-in the-Square decorated

with electric lights during the

holiday season. When those

lights were turned-on usually

depended on when

installation work was

completed. While the

unofficial date was sometime

over the Thanksgiving

weekend, there were years when one or more problems caused it to be as much as a

week later. For many years, the organization responsible for the downtown Christmas

lights was the Woodstock Chamber of Commerce. (See continuation on page 13)

Inside This Issue

Opera House 2 - 3

Public Works 4 - 5

Public Library 6 - 7

Recreation 8 - 10

Shop Small 11

Celebrations 12

Police Department 12

Lighting of the Square 13

Around Town 14

November 25th - 27th 15

Christmas Parade 16 -17

Carriage Rides 18

Ladies Night Out 19

Holiday Flyers 20 - 21

Meetings 22

Page 2

Dracula

Fat Babies

For Tickets call 815-338-5300

Or www.woodstockoperahouse.com

A Christmas Story, The Musical will bring an

exciting new dimension to those who have

seen the movie and will certainly stand on its

own for those who haven't.

Come enjoy the magic of the holiday season

and experience Clara’s magical journey as

Tchaikovsky’s world renowned music is

brought to life through the talent and grace

of Svalander’s ballet company.

Join Ebenezer Scrooge as he journeys through

the Christmases of Past, Present and Future

with his three Ghostly Guides. Capture the

spirit of the holiday season with this classic

Dickens tale!

Karla Bonoff has been described as one of the finest singer/songwriters of her generation.

That description is not hyperbole. With a career spanning four decades, Bonoff has

enjoyed critical acclaim, commercial success, enduring popularity and the unwavering

respect of her peers. In addition to her own recordings, Karla has seen her songs become

hits for Bonnie Raitt, Wynonna Judd and Linda Ronstadt. Many of Bonoff’s ballads are

classics and she has continued to tour extensively, playing sold-out shows around the

world. Hearing Karla’s moving vocals on her rich, expressive songs is like standing beneath

a sparkling waterfall and experiencing them live can be transformative.

Volume 4, Issue 38

Page 3

11/18 Jazz Night 8 pm

11/21 Lighting of the Square Choir—All welcome 7 pm

11/22 Senior Coffee 1 pm

11/23 Stage Leftovers 7 pm

11/25 Cassandra and Friends 7 pm

11/26 WHS Madrigals 2 pm

11/26 Lost in Rye - Off Square Music Fundraiser

*Note - Saturday*

7 pm

11/29 Seniors Coffee 1 pm

12/1 Ladies Night - A Place to Shine 6 pm

The Stage Left Café can be rented for parties, performances,

weddings, receptions, meetings or a myriad of other private and

public functions.

CAFÉ SERVICES

The following items are included at no additional cost:

* Cash bar * Tables/Chairs * Basic Clean-Up

* Basic Lighting * Projection Screen

The following items are available for rental:

* Coffee/Tea Service * Chafing Dishes

* Table Linens * Lectern * Upright Piano

* Video and Audio Equipment

The Stage Left Café serves beer, wine and a variety of

non-alcoholic beverages. Due to Health Department

regulations, food may be brought onsite only by

licensed caterers and kitchens.

Page 4

Inevitably the winter season will arrive. In anticipation, the Parks & Facilities Division has

finished winterizing the City’s park system. All water lines have been blown clear and RV

antifreeze added to protect the pipes from freezing; which means all drinking fountains,

irrigation systems, and restrooms are officially closed for the season at the following locations:

Weather permitting; water will be turned back on during the month of April, 2017.

If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at

pwdept@woodstockil.gov or (815) 338-6118.

Bates Park

Prairie Ridge Drive Park

Woodstock Water Works

McConnell Road Park

Merryman Fields Park

Davis Road Park

Tara Drive Park

Mary Ann Street Park

Sesquicentennial Park

Park in the Square

Emricson Park

Peace Park

The Street Maintenance Division

has completed two rounds of leaf

collection from every City street

and requests residents

place leaves in the

parkway in preparation of the

final round of collection

beginning Saturday, November

19th

.

The Department cannot

guarantee the collection of every

leaf; therefore, if your leaves are

not picked up through the end of

the day on Wednesday, November 23rd

, you will need to mulch your leaves or bag them

in brown compostable paper bags. Residents with bagged leaves (no orange yard

waste stickers needed) should contact the Department of Public Works between the

hours of 8:30 am and 5:00 pm at pwdept@woodstockil.gov or (815) 338-6118 to

schedule a pickup before Friday, December 2nd

.

Volume 4, Issue 38

Page 5

Plant tours explain the treatment process as it is occurring to student groups, youth

organizations, and interested residents. To schedule a tour, or for further information, contact

the Wastewater Treatment or Water Treatment Superintendent at (815) 338-6118 or

pwdept@woodstockil.gov

Marengo Disposal will continue to pick up landscape wastes on regularly scheduled collection

days through Friday, December 9th. Grass clippings, twigs, and weeds must be placed in a

brown compostable paper bag or 32-gallon can marked with an ‘X’. Each bag and/or can

needs to have an orange yard waste sticker attached, and should be placed curbside the night

before collection day to ensure pickup.

Marengo Disposal will also accept branches no longer than 3-feet in length and no larger than

4-inches in diameter. Branches should be tied together with twine in bundles weighing no

more than 25-pounds and placed curbside. Bundles should also have an orange yard waste

sticker attached.

Orange yard wastes stickers are available for purchase at:

Woodstock City Hall (121 West Calhoun Street)

Woodstock Public Library (414 West Judd Street)

Department of Public Works (326 Washington Street)

Jewel/Osco (145 South Eastwood Drive)

ShopFresh (330 North Eastwood Drive)

Residents with questions regarding yard waste collection should contact Marengo Disposal at

(815) 568-7274 or visit http://www.mdces.com.

Take advantage of the unseasonably mild weather by implementing the

preventative maintenance suggestions below to protect your water service

from freezing in the upcoming colder months:

Shut off pipes leading to outside spigots

Seal any potential cold air leaks (windows/doors) where water

pipes are located

Insulate water pipes most susceptible to freezing: those along

outer walls, in crawl spaces, or attics (pipe insulation or heat tape

is available at most hardware stores)

On really cold nights, leave a cold water faucet open overnight at a trickle

Make sure the furnace is left on and set no lower than 55 degrees

For more information, please contact the Department of Public Works at

pwdept@woodstockil.gov or (815) 338-6118.

Page 6

Thursday, November 17th, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. When the time comes to choose a

Medicare plan or review your existing coverage the options can become

overwhelming. To help you get started, we invite you to attend an educational

seminar. You will learn all about your Medicare choices. There will be resources

that make it easy to understand the basics of Medicare.

Story times are back, including our Friday drop-in story time. Check our calendar

for details: https://il.evanced.info/woodstock/lib/eventcalendar.asp

Interested in practicing your English? Joining our Conversation Club on Tuesdays

at 10:00 AM is a great opportunity for native Spanish speakers.

Need help with that tablet or other smart device?

Stop in Tuesday nights from 7:00 – 8:00 pm and

Thursday mornings from 10:00 - 11:00 am for

some one-on-one assistance with our IT Librarian

gurus.

Every Friday there will be a small, do-it-yourself

activity in the Children’s Department. It will be

available all day, and announced on Facebook that

morning. We’ve already built forts, colored on the

floor and played dress-up, come in to see what’s

next!

Volume 4, Issue 38

Page 7

Babies and caregivers will share books,

songs, activities, and playtime during

each lap-sit program. Registration limited

to WPL cardholders.

Tuesdays

10:30-11:00 am

6 to 23 months

2-3 year olds can meet and make new

friends while we share stories, songs, and

crafts!

Wednesdays

10:00-10:30 am

2-3 years

Children 4-years-old through

Kindergarten will enjoy

stories, dancing and crafts.

Older siblings welcome,

younger siblings may join in

with caregivers.

Wednesdays

11:00-11:30 am

4 years-Kindergarten

Our newest storytime is

here. Pop by for stories,

crafts, and fun. Open to all!

Fridays

: 10:30 am

: All Ages

Families who speak, or are learning to

speak, Spanish can enjoy stories, crafts,

and songs at our Spanish-language

storytime. This program is conducted

entirely in Spanish.

6:30-7:00 pm

2 years old and up

¡Traiga a sus niños a pasar una tarde

divertida! Invitamos a las familias que

hablan o están aprendiendo español a

que se acerquen a la Biblioteca para

escuchar el relato de interesantes

historias, realizar manualidades y

aprender bellas canciones. El programa

se realiza enteramente en español.

Los días Lunes de 6:30 a

7:00 pm

Mayores de 2 años

Page 8

PUBLIC LIBRARY Page 9

Page 10

The Recreation Center was filled with fifty-

eight tweens last Saturday night for the

monthly Tween Night at the Rec event.

Tweens, in grades 5th

-8th

, are invited on the

first Saturday of the month for open gym,

walleyball, swimming and other activities

from 6:30-8:30PM for a $5 drop-in fee. The

event was organized by Program

Coordinator Becky Vidales.

The main event this month was a Gift Card

Bingo and board games in the multi-

purpose room.

The next 5th

– 8th

grade Tween night

at the Rec will be on December 3rd

from 6:30 – 8:30 with a $5 drop in

fee. We will feature a board game

night and an inflatable obstacle

course.

Recreation Department staff is finishing up fall programs and planning/

transitioning to winter/spring programs. The first draft of the Winter/Spring City

Scene brochure was submitted to Indepth Graphics last week. After a series of

revisions, the brochures will be direct mailed to over 15,000 residents in the

60098 zip code and the west side of Wonder Lake (District 200 boundaries) at the

end of December. Winter session programs will begin in early January.

The City Scene is compiled by the Recreation Department with submittals from

various City departments. In addition to the general information about City

services that are published in each edition, there is also program information for

the Challenger Learning Center, Opera House, NISRA, Woodstock Water Works,

Recreation Center, and Recreation Department.

PUBLIC LIBRARY Page 11

Human Resources

November Employment

Anniversaries

Carolyn O’Leary Library November 20 26 years

Kathleen Gallagher Police November 30 18 years

Lori Ann Pannier Opera House November 3 13 years

Joseph Janiga Crossing Guard November 9 7 years

Paul Christensen Finance November 18 3 years

Mark Stoll Streets November 24 2 years

Jonathan Didier Police November 2 1 year

Tom Migatz Public Works November 16 1 year

Randy Tabaka Police November 2 1 year

Page 12

The is collecting toys for children in need

through Friday, December 16th

. A Marine Corps Reserve McHenry County

Detachment #1009 Toys for Tots collection box is available 24/7 in the

department’s lobby at 656 Lake Avenue for receiving donations of new,

unwrapped toys. All toys will be distributed to children living in McHenry

County.

For further information, please contact at

815-338-2131 or ghavens@woodstockil.gov.

Page 13

(continued from page 1)

They would raise funds, purchase the lights, hire someone with a lift truck and

provide volunteer labor to do most of the work. Their management of the project

peaked in the 1980s with the installation of decorative lighting on most of the

downtown buildings. This addition was suggested, and eventually organized, by one

of their members after visiting another city that had done something similar. About

the same time this project was completed the city upgraded the power systems in

the park, allowing more trees to be lit while using more lights.

With the significant expansion of the downtown holiday lighting display more

advance work and planning was required to get the system ready for the season.

Work would begin in late October and culminate on the day after Thanksgiving

followed by a full test at sunset. This eventually transitioned into all the equipment

being ready before Thanksgiving and a final test performed the day after. If

everything worked, the lights would be left on. It’s at this point that an Opera House

employee suggested they advertise the lights being turned-on at sundown and have

a small ceremony to recognize, what some considered to be, the start of the holiday

season.

Not many people showed-up that first year. In fact, most of those in attendance were

chamber volunteers, city employees and hired electricians. As a way to increase

attendance, future years included a free raffle to select a family to turn-on the lights.

In order to add even more appeal; a small ceremonial switch was setup to make it

appear that the lights were being activated from that single location. In reality, it

took seven people to turn everything on at locations that included basements, attics

and even eight feet in the air on a telephone pole.

The raffle idea, along with a little more advertising, ended-up working all too well. In

one year the event went from having less than 100 people in attendance to over

1,400. This dramatic increase caught everyone by surprise and made the raffle

logistically impossible. A last minute decision was made to have Miss Woodstock

throw the switch.

As the years went by, the lighting system and the Lighting-of-the-Square ceremony

became so large and complex that the City

was asked to assume control of its

management. The staff of the Opera House, in

close cooperation with other city departments

like Public Works, was assigned this task.

At this point in time, over 12,000 lights adorn

15 trees in addition to 5,000 lights on the

Springhouse and Bandstand. Added to this is

6,200 linear feet of lights defining the

rooflines on 64 buildings. Estimated annual

attendance at the Lighting-of-the-Square

ceremony now exceeds 2,000 and planning

for the event has become a year-round

endeavor.

Page 14

, Opera House, 3:00 pm

, Open to Public, Stage Left Café, 7:00 -

8:30 pm

, Stage Left Café, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Stage Left Café, 7:00 pm

Main Street PourHouse, 7:00 pm

Rec Center Hours 7:00-11:00 am

Police Department 24 hours

All other City Buildings will be closed.

As a reminder, Thanksgiving will alter the garbage pickup schedule for residents during the week of November 24th through November 26th.

With Thanksgiving on Thursday, all normal garbage pickup will occur one day later. In addition, those residents who normally have garbage picked up on

Friday will need to place their garbage out for collection on Saturday.

The First Annual Gingerbread

House Walk competition sponsored by Friends of the Old Courthouse in

collaboration with the Northwest Area Arts Council begins and

runs through December 16th. Doors will open at 5:00 pm the night of the

Lighting of the Square for viewing. Winners of the competition will be announced

during the program beginning that evening at 7:00 pm on the bandstand.

Each year, on the day after Thanksgiving, our community

joins together for the Lighting of the Square. This magical time, heralding the

true beginning of Victorian Christmas and the holiday celebrations in Woodstock,

starts with Santa and carol singing, and includes the lighting of thousands of

twinkling lights around the Square. Friday, November 25th, 7:00 PM sharp!

Over 30 local

organizations decorate trees to celebrate the holiday season. The Christmas Tree

Walk is open to the public beginning Friday, November 25th 7:00 pm through

Saturday, December 31st during Opera House business hours.

Woodstock Musical Theatre

Company, Opera House, 8:00 pm

, Carolers will be

traveling around the square moving in and out of

businesses beginning at 12:00 pm. At 2:00 pm, they

will stop at Stage Left Café and offer a 30-minute

concert.

2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Stage Left Café, 7:00 pm 11:00 pm

Opera House, 4:00 pm & 8:00 pm

Be sure to join in welcoming Santa and Mrs. Claus as they join

our Christmas Parade around the Square beginning at 2:00 pm on Sunday,

November 27th. After the Parade, join us at the old fire station behind City Hall

for Cookies and Milk with Santa. If you’d like to participate in the Christmas

Parade or volunteer to help, please contact the Opera House at 815-338-4212.

(See page 16-17)

On Thursday, December 1st from 5:00 – 9:00

pm, retailers, restaurants, and entertainment venues will be offering specials

designed just for this occasion. Be sure to register at the Opera House to find

out details of the specials at various businesses.

Page 15

Page 16

WOODSTOCK’S ANNUAL CHRISTMAS PARADE

Sunday, November 27th, 2:00 PM

It’s time once again to register for the annual

Woodstock Christmas Parade!

Participation in the parade is open to any persons, groups or organizations wishing

to be involved. There is no fee for entry. Those interested can call the Woodstock

Opera House to sign up, stop by the Opera House between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM,

Monday through Friday or print a registration form from the website at

www.woodstockil.gov. Advance registration is strongly suggested, but not

required.

Line-up will begin at 1:30 PM on Forest Avenue, located on the south side of Dean

Street School. The Parade will start at 2:00 PM at Dean Street School and go north

on Dean Street to the Square. It will then go counter-clockwise around the Square,

exiting on Johnson Street, ending at City Hall and the former South Street Fire

Station. All walking groups (i.e.: Brownie/Cub Scout Troops) will be located at the

beginning of the parade and line up near Dean Street School. If you are using a

motor vehicle in the parade please enter the Forest Avenue line-up from Blakely

Street so you are facing the right direction to join the parade. For safety reasons

there is no parking or standing on Dean Street or Forest Avenue. Vehicles waiting

on these streets will be asked to move. ANY VEHICLE LEFT UNATTENDED ON

FOREST AVENUE MAY BE TICKETED!

Please inform those that are dropping off participants for the parade, please do so

in the parking lot of Dean Street School. Please enter the parking lot from the Dean

Street Entrance.

In case of bad weather the decision to cancel will be made by 11:00 AM the day of

the parade. Those who have registered in advance will be notified by phone of any

cancellation or changes. Any participants with questions or concerns about

cancellation can call the Woodstock Opera House at 815-338-4212 after 11:00 AM

the day of the parade. You may also check the website or the City’s Facebook page

for weather information.

The City of Woodstock will host a milk and cookies reception at that location after

the parade. Santa Claus will be the guest of honor and meet with children of all

ages at the reception. For more information, please call the Woodstock Opera

House: (815) 338-4212 or email at bcosgray@woodstockil.gov

Around the Town

Page 17

Page 18

Around the Town

Page 19

Volume 4, Issue 38

Page 20

Around the Town

Page 21

The City of Woodstock, in partnership with

Elgin Recycling, is accepting unwanted holiday

light strands and extension cords for

recycling.

All colors and lengths of lighting/cords will be

accepted, and drop off locations include:

City Hall, 121 West Calhoun Street

Woodstock Police Department,

656 Lake Avenue

Woodstock Public Library,

414 West Judd Street

Department of Public Works,

326 Washington Street

Garland, live greens, wreaths, or other non-

recyclables containing lights cannot be

accepted as part of this program.

Unwanted light strands will continue to be

accepted until Friday, February 17, 2017.

For more information contact

the Department of Public

Works at

pwdept@woodstockil.gov or

(815) 338-6118.

Page 22

Each newsletter, we will highlight one section of our website

and the information it offers. This month….

Economic Development - Link to the City of Woodstock ED website.

Demographics - Information such as household income, market profile and

business summary.

Property Search - Links for finding properties, zoning maps and building

codes.

Zoning - Planning and Zoning site.

Permits - Building Permit Information.

Maps– Many resource maps for the city.

Starting a Business - A step by step of how to set up a business in

Woodstock.

Incentives - A listing of programs offered to existing and new businesses.

Business News - Links to local and national business news stories.

Made in Woodstock - Descriptions of some of the local manufacturing

companies.

Uniquely Woodstock - Some of the ideas of what makes Woodstock different.

Bids and RFPs - A link to open bids and proposals.

Chamber of Commerce - Woodstock’s Chamber website.

McHenry County EDC - McHenry County Economic Development Corporation.

McHenry County CVB - Visitor Bureau’s website.

Illinois DCEO - IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s

website.

Illinois SBDC - Illinois Small Business Development Center’s website.

www.woodstockil.gov

121 W. Calhoun St.

Woodstock, IL 60098

Phone (815) 338-4300

Fax (815) 334-2269

Hours:

8:30 am - 5:00 pm

M, W, Th, F

8:30 am - 7:00 pm

Tuesdays unless

otherwise posted

815-338-4305

815-338-3176

815-338-4300

815-338-4212

815-338-2131

815-338-0542

Parks

Streets

Sewer

Water

815-338-6118

815-338-4363

City Meetings Open to the Public

Date Time Meeting Location

11/21/16 7:00 pm

Old Courthouse and

Sheriff’s House Advisory

Commission

City Hall

Council Chambers

11/28/16 7:00 pm Historic Preservation

Commission

City Hall

Council Chambers

11/29/16 3:00 pm

City Council Workshop–

Intergovernmental

Agreements & Annexation

Woodstock Opera

House - Stage Left

Café

12/1/16 8:00 am Economic Development

Commission

City Hall

Council Chambers

12/1/16 5:30 pm Environmental

Commission

City Hall

Council Chambers

12/1/16 7:00 pm Plan Commission

City Hall

Council Chambers

12/1/16 7:30 pm Library Board

Woodstock

Public Library

Page 23

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20 21 22 23 24 25 26

27 28 29 30 1 2 3

November 2016