Trick or Tricking will be held on Saturday, October 31, with recommended hours from 3 - 7:00 p.m. These hours are consistent each year. For the safety of the families participating in trick-or-treating, those going door-to-door should wear face coverings at all times (over the age of 2). Please also maintain a safe distance from other trick-or-treating groups and wait to approach a house until the previous group has left.
Individuals passing out candy are also encouraged to wear face coverings and gloves. Please pass out candy individually instead of inviting children to take a treat from a communal bowl. Those interested in participating in trick-or-treating are asked to turn on porch or outdoor lights. Those who are not interested, please keep outdoor lights off.
With these necessary precautions, everyone can enjoy a safe and spooky Halloween celebration!
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Vehicle Stickers Due Today |
Today is the last day to purchase vehicle stickers to avoid late fees. Mail-in applications must be postmarked by today. You can also drop the envelope in the Municipal Centre drop-box, purchase in person, or make a payment at the PD website here (choose one-time payment/police payment/vehicle stickers). Stickers must be displayed by October 1!
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Document Destruction Day this Saturday! |
Bring your sensitive documents to the Document Destruction Day, this Saturday, October 3, from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. in the Municipal Centre parking lot located at 7401 Meyer Road. Read more information here!
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New COVID-19 Temporary Drive-Up Testing Site |
The McHenry County Department of Health is hosting a temporary drive-up COVID-19 testing site this Friday and Saturday, October 2 & 3 from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. and Sunday, October 4 from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Peterson Park in McHenry, 4300 Peterson Park Road. Testing is open to anyone who is interested whether they have symptoms or not. No appointment is needed and there is no cost for the test. If you have insurance, please bring your card. Results will be ready within 4 to 7 days. View more info at Access to Healthcare page.
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Hatchery Park Closure & Fall Trout Fishing |
In preparation for Fall Trout Fishing, Hatchery Park will be closed Thursday, October 15 until Saturday, October 17, at 7:00 a.m. when Fall Trout Fishing season starts and anglers can keep a daily catch limit of five. A valid fishing license and Inland Trout Stamp are required, except for those under 16, blind or disabled, or an Illinois resident on leave from active duty from the Armed Forces. View more information here.
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Landscape waste is allowed to be burned on the weekends in October and November with these restrictions. Please consider other ways to dispose of yard waste, including composting, disposing of through Groot by purchasing landscape stickers or taking it to a landscape collection site like Thelen Sand and Gravel.
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Photo of the Week
Susan McKendry in the Orchard Bluff subdivision and Paul Fiona in the Oak Valley Estates subdivision both sent in photos of the most amazing August 23 sky after an evening storm. Thanks for sharing! If you have a photo of Spring Grove you would like to share, email it here.
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New Adopt A Highway Opening |
The Village is looking for a group, business or family to adopt Sunset Road from Johnsburg Road to Route 12 starting January 1, 2021. Your group name will be displayed on the Adopt-A-Highway sign. The agreement runs for two years and litter must be collected a minimum of four times a year. Bags and vests are supplied by the village. Please call 815-675-2121 for more information.
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November 3 General Election Voting Options |
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September 24 – Early voting starts in the McHenry County Clerk’s office at 667 Ware Rd., Woodstock. Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM—4:30 PM.
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October 19 - Early voting starts at other locations. Check hours and locations here. The closest early voting is at the McHenry Township building located at 3703 N. Richmond Rd., Johnsburg.
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October 29 - Last day to request an absentee ballot on-line here. When returning, it must be postmarked by Nov. 3 or put in a ballot drop box (see below for a location).
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November 3 - Vote in person at your polling place. Where do I vote?
If you need to register to vote, the last day to mail in a registration card is October 6, and the last day to register to vote on-line is October 18. You can also register the same day you vote, but only at the County Clerk's office in Woodstock.
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Treasurer Position Available |
The village is seeking a qualified individual to take over the role of Village Treasurer due to the impending retirement of our current Treasurer. A bachelor’s degree in accounting or closely related field desired but not a requirement, or a minimum of two years of experience in an accounting position, preferably governmental accounting. Salary is commensurate with experience and knowledge and position includes a pension plan but no health insurance.
View more position details here.
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Consolidated Election Notice |
The Village President and three (3) Village Trustee seats will be up for election for the Village of Spring Grove on April 6, 2021. Nomination papers are available in the Clerk’s Office for circulation for the April 6, 2021 Consolidated Election. Sample form nomination papers may be picked up during regular business hours (8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) at the Village of Spring Grove Municipal Centre in the Office of the Village Clerk, 7401 Meyer Road, Spring Grove, Illinois 60081 or you can request it be emailed to you by contacting the Village Clerk here.
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Expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards have been extended an additional three months – from November 1, 2020 to February 1, 2021. This new February 1, 2021 extension also includes those who have October, November, December and January expiration dates. As a result, expired driver’s licenses and ID cards will remain valid until February 1, 2021.
ComEd reminds customers in need that a variety of options remain available to assist with past-due balances, but many of these enhanced financial assistance options are only available for a limited time. View more information here.
View a map of the United States and other countries to view potential risks associated with traveling during the pandemic. Areas with increased risk of COVID-19 are based on case rates.
Please continue to take precautions to keep COVID-19 from spreading by staying home if you don't feel well and remember the 3 Ws:
- Wear a Mask or Face Covering whenever you're in a public setting
- Watch your Distance - Stay at least 6 feet from people who are not from your household, in both indoor and outdoor spaces
- Wash your Hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
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Charles & Maria Mead and a 1956 photo of their farm. |
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They may not have had mail-in ballots in the 1800s, but in 1854, the folks who lived in English Prairie were tired of trekking all the way to Blivin's Mills (a.k.a. Spring Grove) to get their mail so they established their own post office in the home of Gideon B. Cooley.
In 1870, the English Prairie Post Office was moved into the farm kitchen of the home of Charles and Maria Mead, located at the NE corner of Wilmot Road and Route 173. Charles held the office of postmaster for 26 years.
The Mead family moved to English Prairie in 1860 from New York. Charles was a farmer and did well enough to purchase a new one-horse buggy in 1880. We know this because that year he offered a $50 reward in the newspaper when it was stolen from his farm! It was described in great detail:
"The buggy is painted black with red stripes on spokes and sides of box. It is what is called a tight box with low seat. The thin piece on outside of frame had been broken by being stepped on and been repaired by putting in two screws, the repairs are on the right hand side in front. Cushion of corduroy or material made for that purpose. Top rail on dash bent down between supports. Single harness, plain black trimmed, nearly new."
Along with a description of the thieves:
"...taken by two persons seen near Wilmot, Wisc., on Friday afternoon, about 4 o’clock, going South, on the east side of Fox River. They had with them a small light grey or white Pony or small horse, with shoes on forward feet only. ...one man was riding and the other leading the horse. They were middle-sized men and one had red hair and whiskers and one wore a white or light colored hat. Any person giving information where said property may be found will receive a reward of $25, and also $25 more for the apprehension of the thieves."
Twenty-five dollars in 1880 is equivalent to about $600 today!
The Mead farm was sold in 1901 for $77.50 an acre. Today it is gone - swallowed up by the Thelen Sand & Gravel pit. Charles died in 1903 at the age of 81 and Maria lived until 1918. They are buried in the English Prairie Cemetery.
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