McHenry County News FRE
E
11512 N. 2nd ST. • MACHESNEY PARK, IL 61115 • (815) 654-4850 • www.McHenrycountynewspaper.com Display Advertising & Classifieds: 815-654-4850 • Circulation: 815-654-4854 • E-mail:McHenrynews@rvpublishing.com
Volume 6 Issue 49
DECEMBER 1, 2016
To Advertise In This Space Call 815-654-4850
McHenry Downtown Christmas Walk 2016
By Anne Eickstadt CORRESPONDENT
So, a snowman, an elf and a toy soldier walk into a bar…. Sounds like the opening line of a joke, right? I wish I had a clever way to continue that but it happened for real. The opening day of McHenry’s Christmas Walk this year was very cold with winds gusting at about 40 miles per hour. The sidewalks and shops are usually bustling during this event even though the parade is not until Sunday. This year, the old-fashioned trolley was full, busily taking riders from Riverside to Green Street and back again. No one wanted to walk. The horse-drawn wagon ride did a circuit and its riders dashed for the nearest shelter once they had disembarked at Veteran’s Park. The most popular nearby shelter seems to be The Bike Haven where Miss Molly is practicing her face painting. One family I talked to on the street said, “Everyone asks
us where we got the face painting done.” Today, I have seen faces painted as Santa with glasses and rosy cheeks, as fairy princesses and tiger cats. “Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Ho, ho, ho!” Santa Claus tells me. Santa, [as portrayed by Tim Adams of Adams Memorials & Memorable Gifts] and his elf holding a basket of candy canes, are the only ones hanging out in the streets on this blustery day. I held open the door of White Water Junction for the people on the sidewalk. They hesitated until I said, “It’s warm in here.” “Well, okay then.” And they promptly entered. White River Junction offers home décor, furniture, and jewelry. Mary Moerdick and Karen Fuchs are busy inside. Karen is working with a set of shelves and Mary is stenciling Christmas signs. “We
See DOWNTOWN, Page 2
ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTOS McHenry County News
This old-fashioned trolley carries people from shopping area to shopping area during the Christmas Walk.
Miss Molly paints the face of Gianna Sharley, age 9, at The Bike Haven in McHenry during the annual McHenry Downtown Christmas Walk.
Santa Claus is brave enough to hang out on the street during the cold, blustery weather on Saturday, November 19.
A Helping Paws Christmas Foray By Anne Eickstadt CORRESPONDENT
ANNE EICKSTADT PHOTO McHenry County News
Crystal is a female hound mix. She is an active 3 months old. Her parents and 10 brothers and sisters are currently residing at Helping Paws in Woodstock.
The Helping Paws Animal Shelter of McHenry County were out visiting Reese’s Barkery in McHenry on Saturday, November 25. The Helping Paws volunteers brought a couple of dogs with them. Boo Boo is a very sweet, 2 ½ year old beagle mix female. Crystal is a 3 month old hound mix female. Crystal is one of eleven puppies. “We still have mom and dad and all the puppies,” says volunteer Geri. “We are open every day of the week or you can visit us online.” As always, the animals adopted out from the Helping Paws Animal Shelter are healthy, well fed and have received medical treatment, including being spayed/neutered. Helping Paws is a no-kill, non-profit organization that is now in its 40th year of operation in McHenry County. Helping Paws is a no-kill shelter incorporated in 1971. They moved to Woodstock from Crystal Lake in 2006. The new facility can house three times more cats
and dogs than the previous building. “Helping Paws’ mission is to improve the quality of life for the homeless, needy animals of the community.” The animals are kept in a safe, caring sanctuary until they can be adopted. They receive medical care and are spayed or neutered before the adoption. Helping Paws has a Lost & Found program to reunite lost pets with their families. A Senior-to-Senior service places older animals with qualified senior citizens for free. Helping Paws also educates children, teens and adults in responsible pet care. They are a non-profit organization that receives no government money. Adoption fees, donations and fundraisers support the shelter. Expenses for the animals can be high. Veterinarian and medical bills mount up to $10,000 monthly. Food and litter run at $2000 per month even with quantity discounts and special offers. Eight part-time staff members supple-
See HELPING PAWS, Page 2