Trout Valley Barn Tour
Sunday, February 21st
Mike Murphy, President of the Riding Club, has graciously volunteered to give all Trout Valley residents a tour of our beautiful, historic barn. The barn was built in 1890 and was designated an official historical site by the McHenry County Historical Society in 1999. All of this was due to diligent work by many residents, especially longtime Trout Valley resident, Shirley Beene.
When: Sunday, February 21st
Time: 1:00 PM - Stay as long as you can, but allow up to two hours to explore all four floors.
Dress: The barn is cold, so dress according to the weather.
Meet inside the barn in the common area up the ramp. The tour will begin promptly at 1:00 pm.
Please mark your calendars for this wonderful opportunity to learn all about our neighborhood treasure.
If you have any questions, please call Terry Parrilli (847) 516-6414.
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Trout Valley Fen Restoration
This past weekend Bob Baker, Village of Trout Valley's Mayor, was presented The Land Conservancy of McHenry County's "Living with Trees" award for the work the Village has and is doing in caring for our trees. The picture above shows Bob receiving the award from Lisa Haderlein, Executive Director of The Land Conservancy.
To take advantage of the current good weather conditions we will be having a work morning this Saturday February 6. Meet in the fen area opposite the gazebo on Trout Valley Road at 9am. We will work for a few hours removing brush and cutting up downed tree trunks and branches . Residents with chainsaws are encouraged to put their chainsaws to use and additional residents are needed to help hauling the cut up logs and branches to burn piles. We will also have a work morning next Tuesday February 9 in the same general area of the fen and hopefully Bernie and Tony of the Trout Valley Maintenance Department will be available to help us.
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Welcome new residents to our community!
Please give a warm, "Trout Valley" welcome to our newest neighbors, the Desmond Family.
Donna and Barry recently moved into their new home at 20 Marryat Road after living in Algonquin for the past twenty six years.
Donna has worked in logistics for thirty years. Currently she's employed as the Training and Sales Manager for Visual Pak Logistics in Waukegan. Raised in Bloomingdale, she enjoys reading, walking her 10,000 steps a day, and crocheting in her spare time. Of Italian heritage, it's no surprise she's an avid cook and loves to entertain. The family "Italian gravy" recipe is legendary.
Barry was raised in Chicago and attended the Art Institute of Chicago. Drafted by the Army during the Vietnam War, he served with the military police at Fort Bliss in Texas. Thank you for your service to our country, Barry. He is now retired after working in finance for over thirty years. Barry also attended Elgin Community College's Culinary School to enhance his passion for cooking and is a trained chef. In his free time, he enjoys painting landscapes and portraits in oil, watercolor and acrylics and cooking for family and friends. He also enjoys gardening and has a worm compost system that he's willing to share with fellow gardeners!
Donna and Barry have three grown children. Their son Chris and his wife Nancy live in Glen Ellyn with their two boys; Jack who is twelve and CJ who is ten. Nicole, their daughter, is a recent graduate in Business Management from DePaul University. She's employed by Pivotal Five in the West Loop in International Customer Service. Zachary is currently studying Marketing at the University of Iowa and will graduate in the spring.
They love the fact that everyone waves "hello" in Trout Valley, even the teenagers! They can feel the warmth our community just by driving around the neighborhood. We are delighted you have chosen Trout Valley as your new home. Welcome to all of you.
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Holiday Giving Project - Thank You!
We would like to say "Thank You!" to everyone who donated to the Holiday Giving Project this December! This toy drive has been done for many years, and every year we are more and more impressed and grateful by the support from the Trout Valley community. This year we collected close to 200 gifts, drastically bettering the holiday season for many children in foster care services all across the Chicago-land area. Again, thank you so much for all of your kindness and for the outpouring of donations!
All the best,
Taylor Almeraz & the Krueger Family
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Inquiry from a Neighbor
Hello Neighbors,
Does anyone have an empty lot in the Valley that you are interested in selling (for our own use)?
Thank You,
Dan & Sophia Wasik
34 Little Marryat rd.
516-8052
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Stitch & *itch
Join us at the lodge on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month, from 9 AM - 10:30-ish. Bring along any portable project and a cup of coffee or water. See you then! If you would like to be on our notification email list, let me know ( acs181@aol.com) or come to the meeting, so we can map out the plan that captures the most interested people.
Ann Somers
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 Winter Events in the Area
Free Days at the Museums:
The Field Museum of Natural History:
The Field Museum has an amazing number of free days on its horizon. Take advantage of free basic admission, which includes the chance to explore the new Cyrus Tang Hall of China, and consider upgrading so you can get to the Greeks.
When It's Free: Feb. 1 through 29 (Yes, all month!)
Museum of Science and Industry Chicago.
The MSI is probably the most interactive, kid-friendly museum of all, while still a can't miss for adults. There's plenty to see here, between the U505, coal mine, Science of Storms and more.
A warmer, more aquatic alternative to the outdoor zoos, you'll have no problem finding the fun at the Shedd. Cuddly critters like our friend Luna are a must see.
When it's free: Illinois Discount Days, which offer free basic admission to IL residents, are every Monday and Tuesday in February.
One of our favorite places for After Dark events, any time is the right time to explore the stars, relive the journey to the moon or catch a film about what space exploration will look like in the future.
When It's Free: Illinois Discount Days, with free basic admission to the Adler, are Feb. 8 to 10, 15 to 17, 22 to 24, and 29.
Art Institute of Chicago.
This massive treasure is a must-see, and free admission in the coming months will certainly help you see more of it, including The New Contemporary, a wonderful gift to the Art Institute and the city
When It's Free: Winter Weekdays from Jan. 4 to Feb. 11. Get Info.
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. The MCA Chicago is a great choice for an afternoon of colorful, thought provoking pieces as well as performance art and lectures. A current can't miss is the Pop Art exhibit.
When It's Free: IL residents can visit for free on Tuesdays year-round.
Chicago History Museum. This museum, near Lincoln Park Zoo, is a goldmine of city history, with everything from steam engines to jazz clubs and ornate old El cars to take you through Chicago's timeline.
When It's Free: The Chicago History Museum will offer free admission to Illinois residents Monday through Friday for the month of February.
Cary Park District to Host Spring Craft Show
The Cary Park District will host a spring craft show on
Saturday, March 5 from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 pm. It will be held at the Community Center, 255 Briargate Rd., Cary. Admission is free. Spaces are available to sell your crafts and other products at the show. For more information on the spring craft and vendor show click here or , contact the Cary Park District at (847) 639-6100.
Winter Farmers Market
features eggs, meats, cheese, fish, dog treats, greens, soaps, baked goods, olive oil, granola.
9 a.m.-noon, First Sundays, October-May
Algonquin Township Building #6 3702 US Highway 14 Crystal Lake, Illinois
Volunteer to Help the Homeless
Three Cary churches provide food and shelter every week from October through April for our county's homeless population. Cary United Methodist Church opens its doors on Saturdays and SS Peter and Paul Church shares Mondays with Holy Cross Lutheran Church.
The needs of the sites are many, to include readying the sites, preparing and serving food, greeting and signing in guests, manning the sites through the overnight hours, cleaning in the morning hours and doing laundry when convenient for the volunteers.
A desire to help doesn't have to be a weekly commitment. A volunteer can sign up for as few or as many shifts as they'd like. Please consider inviting a friend or neighbor to join you.
For additional information or to sign up to volunteer please find below the contact information:
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In Need Some Maintenance Work?
Several people have recently asked me about the possibility of hiring our maintenance folk (Bernie and Tony) to do some maintenance work at their private homes. NO PROBLEM! How do you do it? Just contact them directly using Bernie's cell phone (224-401-3128) to set it up.
Here are the rules governing that hire:
1. They are acting as private, independent contractors and will set the price of the project between you and them. It would be best to have the terms in writing so there's no confusion later. You can either pay by the hour or by the project - however you agree to work it out with them. You are to pay them directly.
2. Since they are acting as private independent contractors, they cannot use Trout Valley tools or equipment - they will have to supply their own, or use yours.
3. They will not be working on Trout Valley time so will not be covered by our Workman's comp insurance.
Wally Zimmerman
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Trout Valley Association News
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
Formerly Known as Echo Security Echo Security (our local security company in Trout Valley) was purchased by Fidelity Security & Investigative Services. There is a new phone number for reporting incidents in Trout Valley:
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Looking for the minutes of recent board meetings?
They are posted to the Trout Valley Website, after they are appoved:
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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)?
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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Maintenance Work Requests
If you have any new work requests for Bernie, please contact either Steve Gerard (
) so we can prioritize this work appropriately.
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Maintenance Phone Numbers
We have had some issues recently with Bernie's cell phone. All is now good again. Bernie's cell phone is 224-401-3128 and Tony is now at 224-610-9995. Those are both Trout Valley phones.
Wally Zimmerman
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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.
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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.
Questions about rentals - please email Laura Whalen at
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.
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Send newsletter submissions
to Vernie Vadnais at
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
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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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View Past Issues of the Trout Valley News
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