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December 26, 2014

Trout Valley News

Issue # 95

Happy Holidays!!

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Leona Farms Questers Trout Valley 2015 Calendars for Sale!

These beautiful, full-color calendars are composed of photographs taken in Trout Valley during the four seasons.

They cost $10.00 and make a perfect gift to give yourself for the New Year. Please contact Mary Haning at (847) 707-3640 to purchase one. Quantities are limited.

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The Social Committee Wants You!

The Social team is always looking for fresh ideas and new team members to keep the Valley fun! If you are interested in either helping to chair an event or just lend a helping hand, please reach out to Tom Lentz at tlentz1@att.net.

Many hands make light work!

Thanks!

The Social Committee

"Straight from the Horse's Mouth"

Merrrrry Christmas from the "reindeer" of the TVRC! The TVRC wishes everyone a very happy holiday season and a wonderful New Year.

Did you know that horses love peppermints and candy canes? If you have any extra after the holiday season, feel free to drop them off at the barn or contact a club member to escort you through the barn to give a horse a sweet treat!

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Jingle

It's that time of year once more when we give a big "THANK YOU" to those who have helped us all year. Bernie and Tony (our maintenance crew) have done a fabulous job of keeping the Valley looking great and keeping the roads as free of ice and snow as they can. If you'd like to give them some Christmas cheer, you can either leave them a check in an envelope at the maintenance shed or drop it off at my home at 258 Stonegate Rd, and I'll make sure they get passed along. Just address the envelope to Bernie. If the shed is locked, drop it in the mailbox. Many thanks - and Merry Christmas to all!

(The shed mailbox as the brown mailbox next to the shed door.)

Thanks for remembering our wonderful maintenance staff this holiday season!

Wally Zimmerman

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River Road becomes one-way when it snows

Although we have only seen a dusting of snow thus far, it is good to remember the change to River Road that goes into effect.

When it snows, traffic on River Road becomes one-way (down hill) from Stonegate Road to Trout Valley Road (at the bridge). With River Road being so narrow and the incline so steep, going uphill puts you and those driving down River Road in danger. Once the weather improves and the roads are cleared, the restriction is lifted.

Deed Restriction of the Month

As the years go by and severe weather and storms take a toll on our landscaping, it is worthy to review the landscaping requirements that give Trout Valley a continuity of native, indigenous shrubs and trees. The original landscape planners for Trout Valley took into consideration the welcomed flowering fruit trees of spring, the shade trees of summer, the gorgeous fall foliage and the evergreens to contrast the gray and snowy days of winter. Please look at your trees and shrubs this winter and assess whether you need to replace or add plantings next spring when a reminder will be in the newsletter again.

In the Trout Valley Deed Restrictions, under the category "YARD LIGHT, MEMBERSHIP, LANDSCAPING, MOWING AND DISEASED TREE REMOVAL" it states,
21. That as to (Trout Valley):
(E) Within six months after completion of a residence on any lot in Trout Valley, each owner shall plant the following as minimum landscaping: 15 dwarf and/or low growing evergreens for foundation planting or landscaping accents such as Mugho Pine, Juniper Pine and Taxus (yew), five tall growing evergreens to be used as windbreaks, screens, landscaping accents and/or specimens and not as foundation planting, such as Scotch Pine, Austrian Pine, Douglas Fir and Colorado Spruce and one flowering Asiatic Crab tree (Malus) such as Hopa Bechtel and Ele)i. If there are no shade trees on said lot, each owner shall also plant 5 deciduous trees such as Maples, Lindens, Willow, Oak and Chinese Elm.

Trout Valley Association News

Changes to the Association's Board

Due to ever-increasing professional obligations, Jeff Greenwald has resigned his Board position; his resignation was effective October 20. At the October 20 meeting, the Board appointed Tom Lentz to complete the term of this seat, which ends in September 2015. Tom will take on the Social, Deed Restrictions and Insurance committees. Thanks, Tom, for stepping up to serve on the Association Board!

Call the Sheriff

If you are aware of a problem in the community, it's often best to call the McHenry County Sheriff to ensure they have a record of the problem. If your home is burglarized, you witness vandalism, you see people loitering down by the river or at other locations within the Valley, please inform the Sheriff. Maintaining a connection with the Sheriff's office helps to ensure the security of our community. The Sheriff's non-emergency number is (815) 338-2144.

Laurie Almeraz

Village of Trout Valley Board News:

Election packets now available for the

April 7, 2015 Consolidated Elections

for

Village President and Village Trustee positions

The Village of Trout Valley has the office of President and four Trustee positions to be elected in the April 7, 2015 Consolidated Elections. Three of the Trustee positions serve a four-year term and one has a two-year term.

The office of President serves a four-year term.

The Village board meets approximately seven times a year. The filing period is from December 15th through December 22nd, 2014. Residents are encouraged to apply. Please contact Tonia Gonzalez, Village Clerk at (847) 477-8170 for further details.

Fall and Winter Events in the Area

Things to do this week!

STEVE COCHRAN'S NEW YEAR'S EVE COMEDY SHOW

WHEN: Two performances at 3 & 7 p.m. Dec. 31 (7 p.m. show nearly sold out)

WHERE: Raue Center for the Arts, 26 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake

COST & INFO: Say goodbye to 2014 with a stand-up comedy show starring AM 560 WIND's Steve Cochran with WGNTV's Pat Tomasula, Ana Belaval and John DaCosse. Tickets start at $52. Tickets and information: 815-356-9212 or www.rauecenter.org.

"COUNTDOWN TO FUN"

WHEN: 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Dec. 31

WHERE: Discovery Center Museum, 711 N. Main St., Rockford

COST & INFO: A kid-style New Year's Eve party. Science, games, music, crafts and art come together as Discovery Center counts down to midnight, happening somewhere in the world, at 1, 2, 3 and 4 p.m. There will be planetarium shows and music from Kantorei, The Singing Boys of Rockford. Hats, confetti and party favors will add to the festivities. Admission: $8 adults and children ages 2-17, free for children age 1 and younger and museum members. Information: 815-963-6769 or www.discoverycentermuseum.org.

ELVIS CADILLAC UNVEILING

WHEN: 1:30 p.m. Dec. 26

WHERE: Volo Auto Museum, 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo

COST & INFO: Presley's 1974 Cadillac station wagon is marked with Elvis' slogan TCB for "Taking Care of Business." Starting Dec. 26 and through January, visit the museum in an Elvis costume. Contestant photos will be posted to Facebook. The Elvis with the most likes wins $1,000. Admission: $13.95 adults, $8.95 children ages 5-12, free for children 4 and younger. Information: 815-385-3644 or www.volocars.com.line.org.

MODEL RAILROAD CLUB HOLIDAY DISPLAY

WHEN: Through Dec. 28

WHERE: Prairie Lodge, 12880 Del Webb Blvd., Huntley

COST & INFO: The club will be running model trains during the holiday season for public viewing. Weekday running times will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekend running times will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prairie Lodge will be open 10 a.m. to noon Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Information: 847-669-2392 or www.sccah.com.

NEW YEARS EVE CELEBRATION

WHEN: 8 p.m. Dec. 31

WHERE: Mackey's Hideout, 2601 S. River Road, McHenry

COST & INFO: For ages 21 and older, featuring the bands Egi-Chachuba, The River Valley Rangers and Sean Shiel & Friends. Cost is $10 a person. Information: www.mackeyshideout.com.

NEW YEARS EVE WITH JOE AND TINA FROM STAR 105.5

WHEN: 7:30 to 11 p.m. (guaranteed admission), 8 p.m. to midnight (open bar), 8 p.m. to 10 p .m. (deluxe dinner buffet) and a midnight countdown

WHERE: Moretti's, 220 N. Randall Road, Lake in the Hills

COST & INFO: Dinner and drinks are part of the package. Celebrate with a confetti blast, balloon drop and video countdown. Dance until 4 a.m. Cost is $75 a person. Rooms offered at the Comfort Inn & Suites in Elgin for $85. A minibus will be available to shuttle guests between the New Years Eve party and the hotel. Tickets and information: www.morettisrestaurants.com or 847-854-7220.

SLEIGH RIDES

WHEN: Rides at 6, 7 & 8 p.m. Dec. 26-27 & Jan. 2-3

WHERE: Primrose Farm, 5N726 Crane Road, St. Charles

COST & INFO: Holiday sleigh rides will be offered regardless of whether there is snow on the ground. If the weather doesn't cooperate, the farm's lage-wheeled hay wagon will be pulled by a tractor. Those ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by a paying adult. Cost is $10 a person for residents, $15 a person for nonresidents. Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate after the ride. Information: www.primrosefarmpark.com or 630-513-4370.

DUELING PIANOS

WHEN: 9:30 p.m. Dec. 26

WHERE: Broken Oar Marina Bar & Grill, 614 Rawson Bridge Road, Port Barrington

COST & INFO: Hosted by Felix & Fingers. Information: www.brokenoar.com or 847-639-9468.

10.) "CHRISTMAS ON BROADWAY - A HOLIDAY MUSIC REVUE"

WHEN: Dec. 26-28 & Dec. 31

WHERE: Pheasant Run Resort, 4051 E. Main St., St. Charles

COST & INFO: A Fox Valley Repertory production. Four holiday tourists are snowbound in a shuttered Broadway theater on Christmas Eve. Schedule: 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; and a special 8 p.m. Dec. 31 New Year's Eve performance. Tickets: $32-$42. Tickets and information: 630-584-6342 or www.foxvalleyrep.org.

Recycling

The Village of Cary has partnered with Elgin Recycling to implement a Holiday Lights Recycling Program. Collection bins have been placed at Village Hall, Cary Fire Stations #1 & #2 and the Senior Center.

Holiday lights that WILL BE ACCEPTED include:

Mini lights

C7 lights

C9 lights

Rope lights

LED lights

Extension cords

Please remove any garland, live greens and wreaths from the lights as these items will NOT be accepted. For more information, please contact Village Hall at (847) 639-0003 or at villagehall@caryillinois.com.

SUN CITY HUNTLEY MODEL RAILROAD CLUB HOLIDAY DISPLAY

WHEN: Through Dec. 28

WHERE: Prairie Lodge, 12880 Del Webb Blvd., Huntley

COST & INFO: The club will be running model trains during the holiday season for public viewing. Three model train sets will be raffled Dec. 23. Weekday running times will be 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and weekend running times will be from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prairie Lodge will be closed Thanksgiving, open 10 a.m. to noon Christmas Eve and closed Christmas Day. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free. Information: 847-669-2392 or www.sccah.com.

Rotary Club of Cary-Grove Winter Farmers' Market

In support of local farmers and vendors, the Rotary Club of Cary-Grove will be holding a winter farmers' market on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month through early spring. The next farmers' market will be Sunday, November 2nd and will be held at the Algonquin Township Offices at 3702 US Highway 14 (Building #6) in Crystal Lake from 9:00am to Noon. Click here to view the Farmers' Market flyer.

Planit 10: Things to do this weekend...

Trout Valley Website

I am seeking current information to post on the website. If you are in charge of a TV club or group, could you please send me your information for updating? Are there any new groups that are not listed on the website (listed under Activities tab)?

TV Website

If anyone sees other errors on the website - please let me know so that I can fix them.

All residents have access to the website by creating a log in.

Thanks, Vernie troutvalleynews@gmail.com

Trout Valley Website - Did You Know?

http://www.troutvalleycommunity.com/outside_home.asp

If this is your first visit, you can request a log in and I will get back to you the next time I am at a computer

You can add a family photo to the TV website

address book, if you like. I never noticed this option, so it may be part of a recent software upgrade.

Steps:

*Go to the website, click on the "Resources" tab and then choose "Address Book."

*Search for your name

*Click "Edit this person" at the bottom of the page

*Edit or add any information you would like, including the photo section

*Below the address section, there is a section called "Resident Photo 1"

*Click "Choose File" and upload a photo from your computer. If you are having trouble getting it to load, it may be because the photo is too large. You can re-size your picture using software on your computer, or by using a website like picmonkey.com to make your picture smaller.

*Save changes on the bottom of the page, before you exit.

Vernie Vadnais

More Information:

Future Neighborhood Directory

The 2015 Directory is going to print soon

If you wish to submit a correction, throughout the next year, for the 2016 Directory or you are a new resident, please email the following information to Vernie at troutvalleynews@gmail.com:

Last Name

First Names of adults (please indicate if there is a different last name)

Street Address

Home (or main) Phone

Cell phone(s) optional

Email - optional

Kids names - optional

Thank you - we try hard to keep our information up to date.

New Residents

If you are new to the neighborhood (in the past 2 years) and would like to be featured in this newsletter, please send your information to Vernie Vadnais at troutvalleynews@gmail.com

Thank you,

Vernie

Welcome Lady!

There's a new Welcome Lady in town!! Terry Parrilli has graciously offered to bring back our old tradition of visiting the homes of new neighbors to bring them neighborhood greetings and information. She will be able to answer your questions about our village and association, the many wonderful amenities, and the clubs and activities that are available, etc.

She has already started contacting some of our new neighbors, but if you moved in recently and would like a visit - please feel free to contact Terry.

terryparrilli@ameritech.net 847-516-6414

Maintenance

If you have any new work requests for Bernie, please contact either Steve Gerard (grd55@aol.com- 847-791-6745) or Wally Zimmerman (zimmerw1@sbcglobal.net -847-682-8500) so we can prioritize this work appropriately.

Did you miss a previous issue of the

Trout Valley News
or a Trout Valley Blast?

Click on the Archive button at the bottom of the page. The Archive page is the best place to print the newsletter, if you need a paper copy.

Need to rent the barn or lodge?

Anyone who is interested in renting the Lodge, Barn or tables and chairs should visit the link below and complete the form. Laura will respond to the request within 24 hours to let you know if the space is available and send along the paperwork, instructions, etc. Please check the Events Calendar (link is below) for availability before submitting requests.

Click here to get started - Lodge and Barn Rental Request

Questions about rentals - please email Laura Whalen at

tvlodgebarnrental@gmail.com

Need the barn or lodge for a TV club or government event?

If you are reserving dates for a TV club or government event that does

not have to pay to rent the facilities, Vernie Vadnais can add you to the calendar and a form does not need to be submitted. Please check the Events Calendar

for availability before submitting your request.

Email Vernie at troutvalleynews@gmail.com.

Events Calendar

Send newsletter submissions

to Vernie Vadnais at

troutvalleynews@gmail.com

Submissions are due by Wednesday for the upcoming newsletter. We welcome your assistance in getting out the Valley's news! See the option in the footer below to update your email address.

Send blast submissions

to Bob Baker at

troutvalleyblasts@gmail.com

Blast versus Newsletter?

We've recently had questions and requests for sending out email blasts to Trout Valley residents. These have included blasts for charitable donations and open houses. Most community information can be circulated in the weekly newsletter. The blasts are reserved for important and time-sensitive information. We want residents to know that when they receive a blast, they should read it as soon as they can, as it is something of concern for the community.

When we reject a blast request, we are trying to balance the need to communicate effectively and quickly with Trout Valley against the rights of the residents not to be overwhelmed with local messages. If we don't send out a lot of blasts, we hope those we do send get your attention. We appreciate your consideration.

Thanks, Bob Baker

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