Come to the first annual Spring Grove Community Block Party!
- Live music from the Thompson Duo from 1- 3
- BBQ food truck, Tropical Chill & beverages for sale (or BYOB & picnic)
- Spring Grove Flying Dragons from 3:30 - 4
- Spring Grove Trivia Questions with prizes
- Touch a Truck all day
- Team and Individual games!
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View the flyer here.
Hope to see you there!
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Document Destruction Day this Saturday |
Document Destruction Day is this Saturday, September 18, 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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The Preserve Subdivision is having a multi-family garage sale this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, September 16, 17 and 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Participants will have balloons attached to their mailboxes. Located off Route 173 & Red Hawk Lane.
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Richardson Adventure Farm Now Open! |
The Richardson Adventure Farm has so many fun activities for you and your family to enjoy! Plus don't forget the Donut Bin with homemade cider donuts, funnel cakes and other delicious desserts!
- World's Largest Corn Maze
- 700' Zip Line, 50' Observation Tower
- Zorbing! (Ride Inside a Giant, 11' Ball)
- Live Pig Races, Jumping Pillows
- Giant Slides, Pedal Carts, Wagon Rides
- Pumpkin Patch
- Picnic Areas and Campfires
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Photo of the Week
The Veenhuis family enjoyed this beautiful sunset from their backyard in the Wilmot Farms subdivision on August 31. If you have a photo of Spring Grove you would like to share, email it here.
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Responsible Pet Ownership Event |
Fur the Love of Dogs will be hosting the 11th annual Responsible Pet Ownership Event! The event will take place at Fur the Love of Dogs, located at 2400 Highview Street.
- Pet nail clipping provided by Fur the Love of Dogs (donations requested)
- Micro-chipping provided by Richmond Veterinary Clinic
- Raffles for the whole family
Nature's Feed will be offering a new air-dried dog food, Wisdom, FREE with your $5.00 donation. Limit 1 offer per household while supplies last. Also offering nutritional tips on how you can improve your pet's diet by using toppers.100% of the proceeds will benefit the participating rescues and shelters that are in attendance at the event. Can't wait to see you there!
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Residents and businesses are invited to decorate their cars, trunks or tables and have fun passing out candy! Trunk or Treat will be held at Horse Fair Park on Saturday, October 30 from 1 - 3:00 pm. Please register by October 28. Registration and admission is free! Brought to you by the Spring Grove Community Engagement Committee. View the flyer here.
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2021-2022 vehicle stickers are on sale now. Mail in your form with payment, drop the envelope in the Municipal Centre drop-box, make a payment at the PD website here, or visit the PD window at 7401 Meyer Road. All vehicles kept in the Village, whether used or stored, must have a current sticker displayed prior to October 1.
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McHenry County Ranked in Top 10% |
U.S. News & World Report has ranked McHenry County in the top 10%, in a survey of more than 3,000 communities, in its annual Healthiest Communities rankings. The rankings included population health, education, economy, housing, food and nutrition, environment, public safety, infrastructure and more. McHenry County’s highest scores were for its economy, at 80%, and public safety, which was ranked at 75%. From great schools and safe communities to wonderful businesses and open spaces, McHenry County has a lot going for it. |
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Anna Cole Baker's Death Certificate |
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Ellen Cole Baker was a drummer in this band. |
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Last week's story was about Anna Cole Baker and how she shot herself in desperation when her Lotus Perfume Company failed. A suicide note was found with her body that stated:
"Dear Ones and Dear Friends: Should I do a rash act it is not because I am mad. But I cannot be a burden and in my broken condition of health and mind I could not do otherwise. I am broken down and brokenhearted. Be kind to Ellen."
Ellen was her nine-year-old daughter. Ellen's parents were divorced with her mother having sole custody and her father, Ward Samuel Baker, having visiting rights at specified times. He was living out-of-state off and on, presumably plying his trade as a violinist.
In 1920, he sought to have Ellen placed in the care of his sister, Ethelyn Baker Hatch, wife of Fred Hatch of Spring Grove. (Ethelyn had lost a baby girl in 1907 but helped raise a step-son of Fred's from his first marriage.) Ellen had been living in Richmond with Grace Cole Burton, a cousin of Anna's, since Anna's death. Both woman appealed to the county court as each were willing and able to give Ellen a good home. But somehow she ended up living with Warren Cole, Anna's brother, in Spring Grove that year, according to the 1920 census.
Next, her name is found listed in the1927 Yearbook of Rockford College. At least for a while, she took up the lifestyle of her father. The 1930 census shows her living in a rooming house in Chester City, Pennsylvania, with her occupation listed as "musician". The postcard photo above could have been a promotion of the band from those years. She had autographed the photo to Mr. & Mrs. (Lyle & Mary) Pierce, the parents of Irene Pierce Borre, who had the card in her collection. The 1940 census has Ellen living as a "transient guest" of Harry's New York Bar in McHenry, Illinois.
She lived until age 67 in 1974 and never married. She is buried by her mother in Cole Cemetery. Her father married once more and died in 1951 in Porterville, California.
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