The McHenry County College (MCC) Athletics Department will host its 2018 Hall of Fame induction at approximately 7 p.m. Jan. 23 (between the women’s and men’s basketball games against Prairie State) in the MCC Gym, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake.

McHenry County

MCC Athletics Dept. to host Hall of Fame induction

The McHenry County College (MCC) Athletics Department will host its 2018 Hall of Fame induction at approximately 7 p.m. Jan. 23 (between the women’s and men’s basketball games against Prairie State) in the MCC Gym, 8900 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake. The 2018 Hall of Fame class includes former women’s basketball coach Ken Ruud, former women’s and men’s tennis coach Don Biere, former women’s softball and basketball player Jodie Kanaly, and former men’s tennis player Matt Miller. During Ruud’s tenure (1997-2006), the women’s basketball team won seven consecutive ISCC titles (2000-06) and played in four Region IV Finals. Ruud was also named ISCC Coach of the Year seven times. During Biere’s tenure (1994-2005), the women’s tennis team earned conference titles in 2000 and 2001, and qualified for the NJCAA National Tournament in 2001, 2002, 2004 and 2005, while the men’s team won a conference crown in 1994 and made the national tourney in 1999. Kanaly (1987-89) was named to the ISCC All-Conference and All-Region IV women’s basketball teams in 1989, and also was named conference MVP after averaging 33 points and 16 rebounds per game. She was also named to the ISCC All-Conference Softball Team in addition to earning team MVP honors. Miller (2011-13) was named ISCC Player of the Year in 2012 after completing an undefeated season as the No. 1 singles player on the men’s tennis team. In 2013, Miller was part of an undefeated doubles team that won conference and Region IV titles. Each of the four inductees will be honored with a plaque on the MCC Athletic Hall of Fame Wall, located outside of the gym. For more information, call (815) 455-8580 or visit www.mchenry.edu/athletics.

Land Conservancy to host Celebration Brunch

The Land Conservancy of McHenry County (TLC) will host its 27th Annual Celebration Brunch: The Land Speaks, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jan. 28 at D’Andrea Banquets, 4419 U.S. Highway 14, Crystal Lake. The event, a celebration of the community’s conservation ethic, includes brunch, bidding on silent auction items, a ceremony to honor individuals for their conservation work, an inspirational video and a talk by local historian Craig Pfannkuche. Tickets are $55 for TLC members and $65 for non-members. To purchase tickets online, visit www.conservemc.org. For more information, call (815) 337-9502.

Crystal Lake

Annual Preschool Fair to be held at library

The Crystal Lake Public Library, 126 Paddock St., will host its Annual Preschool Fair from 9:30 a.m. to noon Jan. 20. The event, intended for families with young children, will feature representatives from more than 20 area preschools with information about what each of their schools offers. The representatives also will be available to answer questions about school hours, location, costs, available programs and more. Children are welcome to attend with their parents. Admission is free (no library card required). For more information, call (815) 459-1687 or visit www.crystallakelibrary.org.

Harvard

New date set for Winter Celebration Sled Races

The city announced that Harvard Parks and Recreation will host the Winter Celebration Sled Races, originally scheduled for Jan. 13, from 1 p.m. to dusk Jan. 21 (weather permitting) at the Lions Park sledding hill, located on Harvard Hills Road (next to the Food Pantry/Senior Center). The family-oriented event includes sledding and some light competition. Attendees must register and complete a waiver form in order to participate. To access a registration and waiver form, visit www.cityofharvard.org/parksrec. For more information, call (815) 943-6468 or visit www.cityofharvard.org.

Woodstock

Former Woodstock High administrator earns award

Woodstock Community Unit School District 200 announced that the District 200 Education Foundation has named retired Woodstock High School assistant principal Ron Bendis as the recipient of the 2018 Susan Palmore Award of Excellence. Bendis will be honored at the Foundation’s upcoming Annual Groundhog Dinner & Auction. A native of Chicago’s South Side, Bendis served with the Chicago Police Department before beginning his teaching career in downstate Ottawa, in 1975. He was named assistant principal at Woodstock High in 1982 and served in that position for 26 years. In 2009, Bendis was named Assistant Principal of the Year by the Illinois Principals Association. The Groundhog Dinner/Auction, a fundraising event to benefit the District 200 Education Foundation, will be held from 6:30-11 p.m. Feb. 10 at Woodstock Harley Davidson, 2235 S. Eastwood Drive. The event includes dinner (catered by BBQ King Smokehouse), a cash bar and live music, as well as a live auction, silent auction and reverse raffle — and presentation of the 2018 Award of Excellence.Tickets are $60 per person ($65 after Feb. 1). Reserved tables are available. To purchase tickets online, visit wwwd200edfound.org. For more information, call (815) 337-5406 or visit www.woodstockschools.org.

Lake in the Hills

Parks & Rec offers Annual Pond Hockey Tournament

The Lake in the Hills Parks & Recreation Department will host its Annual Pond Hockey Tournament from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Jan. 27 at Wood Creek Lake, 228 Indian Trail. Teams (limited to seven players each) are guaranteed two games to compete for this year’s trophy. All games will consist of two 15-minute halves (with a running clock) and include a 1-minute halftime break. Lunch is included for registered players. Spectators are encouraged to come and watch the action. Warming areas will be available. In the event that the ice in not in playable condition, the make-up date is Feb. 3. For more information, call the Parks & Recreation Department at (847) 960-7460 or visit www.lith.org.

–McHenry County News Briefs–