McHenry County breaks ground on Valley Hi memory care wing

Written on October 24, 2023.

McH THRIVE Update!

Resume McHenry County becomes McH THRIVE!

With the end of the state and federal COVID-19 states of emergency, it’s time to stop talking about resuming life as normal and dedicate it to moving ahead, together, better than before.

We deserve the opportunity that lies before us… our manufacturers and small businesses, our workforce, our tourism industry, our agriculture and agritourism sectors and our economic development agencies and chambers of commerce… all of us deserve the opportunity to THRIVE!

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Memory care wing begins construction at Valley Hi

Years of feasibility studies demonstrating the increasing need for affordable senior memory care in McHenry County coalesced into a groundbreaking for a new memory care wing at Valley Hi Nursing & Rehabilitation.

County officials broke ground last Wednesday at the nursing home west of Woodstock. The $3.99 million project will significantly augment the care options for the 120-bed, county-owned facility. You can read more about the event and the project by clicking here.

Also at Wednesday’s ceremony, officials presented Valley Hi staff with the 2023 Silver National Quality Award they recently earned from the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living. Click here to learn more about the national honor, and you can learn more about Valley Hi by visiting its website at www.vhnursing.com.

Construction of the memory care wing is expected to be finished next fall, with occupancy to begin in spring 2025.

13th annual Manufacturing Breakfast educates and inspires

Once again, McHenry County College opened its doors, and rustled up a wonderful hot breakfast, for the leaders and innovators among our county’s more than 500 manufacturers.

The 13th annual breakfast held last Wednesday showcased not only MCC’s manufacturing training programs, but also provided a wonderful networking environment, as well as an opportunity to showcase how MCC and local businesses provide pathways for young men and women to pursue lucrative careers in the growing field of manufacturing!

Prior to the break-out sessions, this year’s panel discussion focused on investing in skilled workforces through automation. Special thanks is due to the panelists – Charter Dura-Bar/Aarowcast Technology and Automation Manager Spencer Benz, Stryker Senior Manager for Manufacturing Engineering and Maintenance Heather Mercier, and Fabrik Molded Plastics Automation Manager Robert Miller.

All three companies are members of the Manufacturing Pathways Consortium – click here to learn more about the organization and its mission to advance manufacturing and workforce development in McHenry County.

Tour highlights sand and gravel operations in McHenry County

Thank you to the McHenry County Gravel Advisory Council for organizing its annual tour of sand and gravel mining operations for County Board members and county staff.

The October 12 tour took participants to several sand and gravel operations, as well as public amenities that have been built on formerly mined land.

In 2022, sand and gravel mining had a $4.3 million gross regional product, generating $2 million in earnings and $545,700 in local tax revenue, according to government data complied by the McHenry County Workforce Network.

You can learn more about mining in McHenry County by visiting the webpage of the advisory council at www.mchenrygravel.org; the council was created 20 years ago to ensure that mining operations are good neighbors, and to provide a forum to resolve conflicts

Let’s celebrate Halloween safely

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office is reminding fun-seekers of all ages to celebrate safely this Halloween.

Make sure kids collect candy in groups, wear costumes easy for drivers to see, and let adults check their candy before eating. If you’re looking for your local municipality’s trick-or-treating hours, you can find them here.

As for adults who prefer Halloween parties and adult beverages over trick-or-treating, the Sheriff’s Office is reminding people to celebrate responsibly and drive sober.

A number of local businesses and civic organizations are holding trick-or-treat events, and you can find many of them on the Naturally McHenry County events calendar. The Sheriff’s Office is holding a trunk-or-treat and open house this Saturday, and you can learn more by clicking here.

Looking to pick that perfect pumpkin?

Time’s running out to pick that perfect pumpkin to carve into a jack-o-lantern and turn its insides into roasted pumpkin seeds.

Not to throw shade at our awesome local groceries and supermarkets, but if you’re looking for a pumpkin purchasing experience involving picking from a pumpkin patch, hayrides, and hot donuts and drinks to stave off the autumn chill, our friends at Naturally McHenry County have compiled a list of local pumpkin patches, which you can find here.

Fun fact – Illinois produces more pumpkins than any other state; actually, more than the next five top-producing states combined. Read this informative and fun article by the Illinois Farm Bureau to learn more.

Let’s do the Time Warp at Woodstock Opera House

Once again, the Woodstock Opera House is celebrating Halloween with two showings this Saturday of the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Dressing up to participate in the show is encouraged, and the Opera House is holding a costume contest to honor the best getups! For the record, if you do bring props, organizers are asking people not to bring the common play-along items of rice, water pistols, lit candles, lighters, confetti, toast, hot dogs and prunes.

Tickets are $13 for the 7 and 10 p.m. showings, and can be purchased at the door or at the Opera House website.

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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.