Peasley: Trees brighten Opera House
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The beauty of the picturesque Woodstock Square – a sight to behold each Christmas season – extends inside the historic Woodstock Opera House. For the 30th year the community room and the former library in the Opera House are filled with imaginatively decorated Christmas trees.
I counted 27 trees decorated with the theme, “Home for the Holidays.” Among the most attractive is “Winter Fantasy” with white flowers and icicles. This tall tree was created by Peg Fenstermaker, who is in her second year of business on the Square, Seasons by Peg.
Another that caught my attention is a tree by Main Stay Therapeutic Riding Program featuring “Horse of a Different Color.” Pewter horses and photos reflect the activity in helping clients at their facility in Richmond.
Woodstock Christian School carries out its theme, “Days of Creation,” with ribbons naming God’s creation on each of the six days.
A new participant this year is the Illinois Railway Museum at Union. Its theme, “Rails Across America,” is carried out with miniature locomotives and railroad cars on the branches.
Another new participant are students at Woodstock North High School. Students mark the first year of this new school with the theme, “A New Home for the Holidays.”
Nancy Porstner, president of the Woodstock Fine Arts Association, and her committee supervised this sentimental Christmas attraction, and I recommend visitors to the Square make a point to enter the Opera House to see this forest of beauty.
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Monsignor Aaron Brodeski is settling comfortably into his role as pastor at two churches, St. Mary’s in Woodstock and St. Patrick’s in Hartland. He welcomes the opportunity to have a school in his parish and said one focus would be on programs with youth.
“Emphasis will also include high school youth ministry with trips and retreats, adult education and encouraging a life of prayer and faith,” he said.
At lunch with the monsignor, I had the opportunity to invite him to share his thoughts about this Christmas season.
“As we prepare for this incredible celebration, I encourage people to spend some time sitting quietly reflecting upon God’s desire to be close to them. This is why He came over 2,000 years ago, so that we can know Him personally and have Him be the center of our lives. His birth must always be seen as His constant invitation to be born, deeper and deeper, in our hearts and souls,” he said.
That’s a timely summary for this holy season; it is in this same spirit my wife, Fran, and I wish each of you a merry and blessed Christmas.
• Don Peasley has been editor, columnist and historian in McHenry County since October 1947. He began his association with Shaw Publications in 1950. He is a frequent contributor of articles and photographs. He can be reached at 815-338-1533.
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