Sam, Anna, Ed and Henry Kuhner from Cary work on a kite, during the annual Kite Festival in Crystal Lake.

Cary

New Cary-Grove fine arts building on target for 2015-16

The $8.5-million project for the new fine arts building adds a multipurpose room, a scene shop, men’s and women’s dressing room, a box office, and a fly-loft replaces the already demolished theater. The Cary-Gove Fine Arts Foundation raised $1.5 million. The remaining funds come from the District 155’s approved budget.

Crystal Lake

Weather can’t ground annual Kite Festival

Despite the cool rainy weather, a large crowd attended the Kite Festival on Memorial Day. Pros from Team Chicago Kite tested the air before launching giant kites shaped like sea horses and turtles. Some kites roared while they soared. Some were so large they had to be anchored by a large circus tent-style stake. Kids got a chance to make and fly their own kites.

Rauner’s Budget cuts could impact Crystal Lake Day Camp

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s proposed budget suggests limiting the funding to children 5 and under. State funding covers about half of the Crystal Lake Day Camp fees. Families would have to pay $650 for each child for the Extended Time program and summer camp. About 48 families receive funding for the Extended Time program, and 58 families receive funding for the summer camp.

Fox River Grove

Fifth-grade teacher named Illinois History Teacher of the Year

Jane Szybowicz, whose passion is history, was named Illinois History Teacher of the Year. A teacher for the past 19 years, Szybowicz lives in Cary. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, a nonprofit organization aimed at improving history education, selected Szybowicz. The award includes $1,000; a certificate of recognition; an archive of books and historical resources presented in her name to the Fox River Grove Middle School library; an invitation to the 2016 Gilder Lehrman Teacher Seminar; and recognition at a ceremony.

Huntley

Two teachers chosen to study in Philippines

Global studies teachers Anne Sharkey, 29, and Clay Henricksen, 25 are part of a Fulbright-Hayes Group Projects Abroad trip sponsored my Northern Illinois University. NIU professor, Susan Russell, teaches the course “The Philippines: Ethno-Religious Diversity and Human Rights in a Transitioning Democracy.” Sharkey and Henricksen will spend two weeks in Manila and two weeks in the rural regions of Luzon. They will tweet and blog about their experiences in real time and create coursework on Filipino history, culture, current events, or human rights issues. The trip is paid for by the U. S. Department of Education.

Johnsburg

14-year-old advances to National Spelling Bee

Mareike Western, 14, advanced to the National Spelling Bee after winning the McHenry County title. She was the county’s first new champion if five years. Western was one of 285 contestants vying for the championship out of more than 11 million entrants. At the national competition, Western first passed the oral vocabulary question by defining “symbiosis.” Next, she correctly spelled “maraca.” In Round 3, she failed to spell “mucedinous” correctly.

Oakwood Hills

Power plant debacle lives on in House Bill 175

Rep. David McSweeney (R-Cary) introduced HB 175 in response to Oakwood Hills Village Board’s potentially illegal July 2013 meeting in which board members discussed, without public knowledge, a potential windfall the power plant would afford the village. Citizens discovered the closed-door meeting almost a year later, beyond the 60-day limitation for the Open Meetings Act. HB 175 allows for reporting 60 days from the date of discovery. The Bill cleared the Illinois House without a single opposing vote. It’s been stuck in an executive sub-committee for the past month. Senate President John Cullerton (D-Chicago) wants HB 175 to move forward.

Woodstock

Final graduation from SEDOM

After 50 years, Special Education District of McHenry County Center School, will close after this year’s summer program. This year, 62-64 students attended SEDOM; nine graduated, and three junior high students were recognized. Trina Harrelson, a teacher at SEDOM for 25 years gave the keynote address at the graduation ceremony.