Groundhog Day actor to return to Woodstock for annual movie celebration

Written on December 3, 2024.

Actor Stephen Tobolowsky to return for Groundhog Days

Bing! Ned Ryerson – Needle-Nose Ned, Ned the Head – is coming back to Woodstock for the upcoming Groundhog Days celebration.

Actor Stephen Tobolowsky will be returning for the city’s annual celebration commemorating the filming of the cult classic movie. According to the Woodstock Groundhog Days event schedule, he’ll be here Feb. 1 for a meet and greet at Read Between the Lynes to talk about the film and sign copies of his books.

Stephen, who played the pushy insurance salesman that weatherman Phil Connors runs across every day at the corner of North Benton and Cass streets on the Square, has come to Groundhog Days before, and more recently returned to Woodstock with Bill Murray to reprise their roles for a Jeep commercial that aired for Super Bowl LIV.

Visit www.woodstockgroundhog.org for a complete schedule of Groundhog Days events.

Another local business joins the McHenry County Coffee & Tea Trail

Let’s welcome Breaking Bread Catering & Deli as the newest addition to the McHenry County Coffee & Tea Trail!

Breaking Bread, located at the Main Street Metra station in downtown Crystal Lake, brings the total number of participating locations to 19.

The rules for completing the caffeinated trail are simple. Download the Naturally McHenry County App, check in at each coffee and tea shop you visit, and then collect your prize of an exclusive travel mug to enjoy your future cups on the go.

Click here to see a complete list of participating businesses and to download the app for either Apple or Google.

Help Toys for Tots make Christmas wishes come true

It’s time once again to help the Marine Corps Reserve with its holiday mission to ensure that every child gets a gift this Christmas.

McHenry County Toys for Tots has almost 200 collection boxes placed throughout the county – you can find a complete list here. Be sure to drop off a new and unwrapped toy sooner rather than later – volunteers need time to wrap the gifts and get them to where they need to be. The drop-off deadline for the box sites is this coming Monday, Dec. 9.

You also can click here to donate money; your donation is tax-deductible, and 97% of donations to McHenry County Toys for Tots go directly to providing toys for children.

McHenry Festival of Trees returns – bigger and better!

The McHenry Festival of Trees has returned to raise awareness and collect goods for veterans in need – and it’s gotten so popular that it needs two locations this year.

Traditionally held at the McHenry Recreation Center at 3636 Memorial Drive, trees are also now on display at City Hall, 333 S. Green St. Each of the beautifully decorated trees is sponsored by a local business, and people vote for their favorite by placing non-perishable food or toiletries beneath them.

All goods collected during the contest will be donated to Veterans Path to Hope. The organization with the winning tree gets bragging rights and free entry for next year’s event.

The event lasts until Sunday, Dec. 29. Click here to learn more.

Santa’s coming to hear childrens’ wish lists

Santa Claus isn’t comin’ to town – he’s already here, and hearing children’s wishes.

The Santa Hut is open on the Woodstock Square, and parents can click here to sign up for a time for their kids to visit. You have to move quick like Santa’s elves, because slots are filling quick!

Santa’s House is also open in downtown Crystal Lake through Dec. 22! Kids can drop in from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 3 p.m. Sundays.

We could probably fill this entire issue with all the visits Santa is going to make to McHenry County – and believe it or not, even The Grinch is paying us a visit. Check out the Events calendar put out by our good friends at Naturally McHenry County to find more.

The photo was taken from the Facebook page of the Rotary Club of Woodstock, which hosts the Santa Hut every year – click here to check it out!

Take a beautiful lighted stroll at the Veteran Acres Luminaria Walk

Starting tomorrow and lasting through Saturday, Veterans Acres Park will be ablaze with light to celebrate the holidays.

A mile of trail at the beautiful forested Crystal Lake park will be lined with luminaria – you can find the trail map, which includes the location of events, by clicking here.

The trail will be lit from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, through Saturday, Dec. 7. The first three days will only consist of the walk, but Saturday’s event will feature campfires, cookies, hot cocoa, a candy cane forest, and carolers!

The cost is free and registration is not required, but organizers are requesting a small donation to fund the Crystal Lake Park District’s future outdoor education programs.

In case of inclement weather, call 815-410-4475 for cancellation information.

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What is McH Thrive?

McH Thrive is a collaborative initiative being implemented by McHenry County and the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) in partnership with the McHenry County community, including cities and villages, businesses and residents.