Last week, the Northwest Herald had a story about the McHenry Library's plans to renovate.

You can read that story here.

During the Oct. 29 public meeting that story was based on, audience members were shown a Power Point presentation on the project, which you can now see here. 

It includes a look at the proposed lay-out of the library - both inside and out - as well as what the entry way is slated to look like.

The renovations are a response to a failed $32 million referendum and are meant to sustain the building, at 809 N. Front St., McHenry, for the next few years. The upgrades include space reorganization, grading and parking upgrades and changes to the check-out system, among other things.

The project will not exceed $3 million, and funding will come partly from reserve funds and partly from recovery zone bonds.

- Crystal Lindell

Crystal Lindell and Diana Sroka are moving to Crystal Lake.

The Northwest Herald no longer will be staffing its McHenry office, 3710 W. Elm St., McHenry. As a result, both reporters now will work out the company’s main office, 7717 S. Route 31, Crystal Lake. It’s just south of Route 14 near the Crystal Lake Wal-Mart.

Sroka and Lindell still will cover their respective towns, and each plans to make regular trips to their communities to stay on top of local news items.

You can now reach Crystal Lindell at 630-384-9842 or via e-mail at clindell@nwherald.com. Diana Sroka can be reached at 815-459-4122 or dsroka@nwherald.com.

Thanks so much for having patience with us during this transition.

- Northwest Herald

If you see Ed Guettler on Friday, Oct. 30, wish him well. He not only turns 90 Friday, but it's also been declared Ed Guettler Day in town.

Guettler is a charter member of the McHenry Kiwanis Club, which formed in 1955 and whose members honored him at the club's luncheon earlier this week. He also has contributed to the community through his activities with the American Legion and 15 years as a McHenry Township Fire Protection District trustee.

Guettler ran Guettler Garage from 1949 until his retirement in 1983, according to an official City of McHenry proclamation naming Oct. 30 Ed Guettler Day. He is a World War II veteran, and a past Fiesta Days Parade Marshal, a designation given to people being recognized for their many accomplishments as a McHenry resident.

As Mayor Susan Low said as she read the proclamation at the luncheon, "Ed can look back on his very full and rich life and be proud of the legacy he leaves our community, which is better for having experienced his many contributions, talents and gifts in such a selfless and caring way."

Guettler is shown in the accompanying picture with Kiwanis Club President Laura Welter.

Happy birthday, Ed. And, congratulations!

Volunteers from the McHenry Kiwanis Club are in key spots throughout McHenry today collecting donations during the club’s annual Peanut Day fundraiser.

Funds raised are used to provide awards and scholarships for the youth of McHenry County, the All-American Soap Box Derby, Fiesta Days Teen Night, and the Little Miss Peanut Contest, club officials said.

Until 6 p.m. today, volunteers wearing orange vests will distribute packages of peanuts to donors at various locations. These include the McHenry Wal-Mart, Jewel, Riverside Bakery, Dunkin’ Donuts, First Midwest Bank, Sullivan Foods, and Bjorkman’s Ace Hardware.

Earlier this summer, a team of local law enforcement officers took on a team of area firefighters at the Leafs Ice Arena is a charity match that raised $3,000.

Recently, the Pioneer Center was the recipient of the Enforcers Charity Hockey Club's first donation, using proceeds from the match against the Backdrafts team of firefighters. The organization received a check for $1,500.

"It's awesome when law enforcement can come together and help a cause such as the Pioneer Center here in our own community," Sheriff Keith Nygren said at a recent check presentation.

The Enforcers are planning their next charity game for the Christmas season, with all funds raised going to the Alexander Leigh Center for Autism in Lake in the Hills.