The village announced that Spring Grove Fire Explorer Post 1800 will host its annual all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon March 25 at the Spring Grove Fire Station, 8214 Richardson Road.

McHenry County

MCC to host screening of award-winning documentary

The McHenry County College (MCC) Sustainability Center and the Land Conservancy of McHenry County will co-host a screening of the award-winning Sundance documentary film, “Look & See: A Portrait of Wendell Berry” at 7 p.m. March 22 in the Luecht Conference Center, located on the MCC campus at 8900 U.S. Highway 14 in Crystal Lake. The film examines the life and work of Berry, a farmer, activist and novelist often referred to as “a prophet for rural America” in literary circles. The screening is free and open to the public. After the screening, there will be an informal gathering with refreshments. Local farmers are invited to bring marketing materials to share with attendees. For more information, contact the MCC Sustainability Center at 815-479-7765 or via email at sustainability@mchenry.edu — or visit www.mchenry.edu.

Crystal Lake

Park Dist. supervisor Thompson earns national award

The Crystal Lake Park District announced that Recreation Supervisor Sandra “Sam” Thompson is the recipient of the American Camp Association (ACA) National Service Award. The award is designed to recognize continued and increasing service beyond the field/affiliate office level. Thompson, Crystal Lake Park District Recreation Supervisor since 1986, received the award at the 2018 ACA National Conference, in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 23. Thompson also serves as a Team Course facilitator and medic first aid instructor, and has authored or co-authored several articles for the Illinois Park and Recreation magazine. In addition, she has spoken at a variety of local, state and national conferences. For more information, call 815-459-0680 or visit www.crystallakeparks.org.

Harvard

Chamber to host business showcase/garage sale event 

The Harvard Chamber of Commerce and Industry will host the 2018 Business Showcase Expo & Community Indoor Garage Sale from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. March 24 at Richard D. Crosby Elementary School, 400 Hereley Drive. The event includes booths featuring several Harvard businesses, as well as entertainment, games, prizes, Bingo and a variety of food vendors. Admission is free. For more information, call 815-943-4404, send an email to info@harvcc.net or visit www.harvcc.net.

Woodstock

Opera House director Scharres announces retirement

The city reported that John Scharres, Managing Director of the Woodstock Opera House, has announced his retirement. After earning a Master of Fine Arts in Theater degree from the University of Illinois, Scharres began his career with the Opera House as Technical Coordinator in 1977. He was promoted to Technical Director two years later, and was selected as Managing Director in 1991. In addition to supervising all facets of performances in the main auditorium, visual arts exhibitions and special events in the Opera House Community Room, Scharres has been in charge of operations at Stage Left Cafe, coordinated the city’s parades, managed the annual Lighting of the Square and Christmas Tree Walk activities, facilitated arrangements for rental events (including weddings and family celebrations), served as Board Director to aid Friends of the Opera House fundraising efforts and assisted with the Woodstock City Band’s summer concert program. For more information, call 815-338-4212 or visit www.woodstockil.gov.

Spring Grove

Pancake breakfast to aid village’s Fire Explorer Post 

The village announced that Spring Grove Fire Explorer Post 1800 will host its annual all-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon March 25 at the Spring Grove Fire Station, 8214 Richardson Road. The cost is $6 for adults and $4 for children. Proceeds will go toward helping members of Spring Grove Fire Explorer Post 1800 attend the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute. Post 1800 — celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2018 — operates as a feeder program into the Spring Grove Fire Protection District and neighboring departments. For more information, call 815-675-2121 or visit www.springgrovevillage.com.

Lake in the Hills

Village offers info session for homeowners near waterways

The village and HR Green, Inc. will host a special presentation concerning properties that are adjacent to waterways at 7 p.m. March 26 at the LaBahn Hain House, 149 Hilltop Drive. The presentation will include discussion of the rights and responsibilities of homeowners living alongside streams and lakes, and common reasons for streambank failure and strategies to stabilize them. Also to be discussed are the permits homeowners must receive to complete work such as changes to fencing, remodeling, stabilizing streambanks and any changes to the ground surface. The village encourages anyone with a waterway adjacent to their property to attend. All residents are welcome. Admission is free; no reservations are required. For more information, contact the Community Services Department at 847-960-7440 or via email at cd@lith.org — or visit www.lith.org.

Island Lake

Lioness Club to host all-you-can-eat breakfast, egg hunt

The village announced that the Island Lake Area Lioness Club All-You-Can-Eat Pancake Breakfast and Egg Hunt will be held from 8-11:30 a.m. March 24 at the Village Hall Gym, 3720 Greenleaf Ave. The event includes all-you-can-eat breakfast (pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, fruit and more), the Annual Al Schmidt Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. (rain or shine), kids prizes, a 50/50 raffle and an appearance by the Easter Bunny. All unused food will be donated to the Island Lake/Wauconda Food Pantry. The cost is $6 (ages 8 and up), $3 (ages 3-7 and seniors) and free (ages 2 and under). For more information, call 847-526-8764, send an email to islandlakelioness@gmail.com or visit www.villageofislandlake.com.

–McHenry County News Briefs–